Gael Maxine (Mathisrud) Duran , 72, of Collegeville, PA; formerly of Bothell, WA ran tall and free into the arms of her Lord on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Souderton Mennonite Homes. To many family members and friends she was called Grammy Gael.

She was born in Lead, SD to Gordon Carl Mathisrud and Maxine Gael (Nelson) Mathisrud. She joined her brother Daniel Thornton Mathisrud. They all preceded her in death.

Gael graduated from Lead-Deadwood High School in Lead, SD, class of 1967. Gael graduated from college at the University of Arizona with a BS in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. She was employed as supervisor in the Radioimmunoassay Laboratory at the University of Utah. She then moved on to become a medical technologist for the University of Washington Department of Pathology for 20 years before retiring in 2014.

Gael treasured every moment spending time with her grandchildren. She loved her cats Frankie, Fiona and Rory. She could name every bird she could spot on her daily walks. Gael enjoyed gardening, walking, reading, watching football, golf and Stephen Colbert. She was a Seattle Seahawk transformed into a Philadelphia Eagle.

An avid quiltmaker, she loved to quilt with her friends of many years, Paula Jungerberg and Dodie Cassell, Beverly Gierke and others in Augusta, WI. Gael loved to travel and was a world traveler with friends and co-workers Paula Jungerberg and Pam Carlisle. She was very artistic and loved art, architectural drawings and nature. Gael loved rocks in honor of her father, a geologist with the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD. She was a big supporter of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Nature Conservancy and Public Radio and Television in Seattle, WA.

Gael was an independent, intelligent, compassionate woman who had a contagious smile and a quirky sense of humor, loyal to her friends and family. She was a successful matchmaker for her co-workers, Robert and Lavonne Bigelow of Stansbury, UT. Dear friend to Garrett and Judy Schwartz of Renton, WA and Kathy Scrivner of Seattle, WA sharing many pleasant memories.

She is survived by her son, Michael Gordon Duran, MD of AZ; her three granddaughters, Natasha Duran of Collegeville, PA, Emilie Duran of New Castle, WA, and Genevieve Duran of AZ; her daughter-in-law, Alina K. Szypula, MD and companion, Stephen Matichak of Collegeville, PA; her step-grandson, Franklin S. Matichak of Collegeville, PA; her two sisters-in-law, Nancy Feikins Mathisrud of Franklin, TN & Diana Mathisrud of Lead, SD; her niece, Carmen Baba and husband, Justin of Franklin, TN; cousin, Jon and Jerilyn Mathisrud of Mendota Heights, MN and friends, Sharron Nelson of Silvana, WA, Ed Webb of Stanwood, WA, Terri Hawkins of Lansdale, PA, Paula Jungerberg of Eau Claire, WI, Dodie Cassell of Augusta, WI, and Nancy and Brian Leonard of Issaquah, WA. She was supported in Life by "Team Gael", a group of wonderful and dedicated business associates.

A special thank you to the caregivers and staff at Souderton Mennonite Homes; Gwynedd Square Rehabilitation and Healthcare; Grandview Hospital; Blue Bell Assisted Living, and Visiting Angels all of PA. Ashley Pointe Assisted Living of Lake Stevens, WA. Gael loved the pampering she received from Alina's mother and sister during their visits from Poland. Maria or Baba, which is Polish for Grammy and Dorota Szypula.

A Celebration of Life will be held sometime in the Spring in Collegeville, PA.

Inurnment will take place at Rosehill Cemetery in Spearfish, SD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Kitty Cottage Adoption Center, 317 W Johnson Hwy, Norristown, PA 19401 https://www.kittycottage.org.

Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, Pennsylvania 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com .