Gail L. Allard

Gail L. Allard, 66, of LeClaire, passed away, Sunday, November 6, 2022 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House with her husband, Tom, by her side.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 5-8 PM in the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. Per her wishes cremation rites have been accorded. A private family burial will be held at a later time.  Memorials may be made to the Friends of LeClaire Library, 323 Wisconsin St, Le Claire, IA 52753.  On-line https://friends-of-leclaire-library.square.site/support.

Gail Longner was born in Dayton, Ohio, daughter of Edward W. Longner, Jr. and Eileen (Haffner) Longner. She graduated from Davenport Central High School, class of 1974, and the University of Iowa, class of 1978. Always looking for an adventure, Gail moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1983 and spent two years working as the first mate on a sailboat. She then moved back to Davenport where she reconnected with her high school crush, Tom Allard. She and Tom were united in marriage on June 18, 1988. In the early years of the marriage, Gail sold insurance for Mel Foster Insurance Company. In 1990 she joined Tom’s jewelry business as office manager and head salesperson. She and Tom worked together as a team at Howard Jewelers, later Allard Jewelers, until they retired in 2016.

Gail and Tom enjoyed over 34 years of marriage making many close friends along the way. They lived on the Mississippi River and loved boating on many bodies of water including the Mississippi, the Great Lakes, and in the Caribbean. They also loved dogs, having owned three during their marriage (Cody, Cruiser, and Rio).  Gail was an avid reader who could always recommend a good read to family or friends. While she was fine being alone with a good book, she also never met a party she didn’t like.  Since retirement, Gail and Tom have enjoyed winters away from the cold in the Florida Keys.

Gail had a great smile and an infectious personality that drew people to her. She cherished the time spent with all her family and friends, oftentimes prioritizing others ahead of herself. She was a devoted and caring listener, and her advice was doled out with a loving spirt and a gentle nudge. 

Gail was predeceased by her parents; her mother-in-law, Mary Allard Gabrilson; and a brother-in-law, Peter Ziegler.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; brothers Gary (Jamie) Longner, Hiawatha, IA; Marty (Denise) Longner, Ft. Mohave, AZ; Ward (Bethane) Longner, Maysville, IA; sister Marie Ziegler, Darien, CT; brothers-in-law Dan (Cindy) Allard, Edwards, CO and Steve (Gina) Allard, Grand Junction, CO; sister-in-law Ami (Doug) Wells, Davenport, IA; and 16 nieces and nephews.