"sorry for your loss, we r relatives. our dad was yur fathers brother, we met in poughkeepsie many yrs ago. wish we had met again blessings "
In loving memory of
Gail Lynn Pittala
June 28, 1942 - February 6, 2015
Gail Lynn Pittala, 72, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, formerly of Seattle, WA., passed away with her daughters by her side on Friday, February 6, 2015 at Fort Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was born June 28, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY, to Joseph and Martha (Desmond) Pittala.
Gail was a member of the Yoga Research Foundation, and was a student of Shri Swami Satyananda Saraswati, where she received her spiritual name, Nirakara Saraswati. She was a world traveler and made many pilgrimages to India and Nepal, where she visited and studied in the Dalai Lama Buddhist Temple. She loved animals, gardening, and was an avid reader. She volunteered with orphaned children in South America, India, Pakistan and Nepal and supported midwifery as a translator during childbirth in Seattle, WA.
She sought enlightenment and studied different philosophies and religions. She cared deeply about the planet and the people in it. She tried to make the world a better place by being active in politics at the grass roots level, and she empowered her children to do the same. Many times she was afraid but this did not stop her questioning and seeking answers. This is what made her brave! In her words, "My religion is kindness."
Gail is survived by her children: Bryan MaCaya (oldest son), Sherri DeHaas (oldest daughter), Ronni Orezzoli, and Sharon Hernandez (youngest daughter); and grandchildren: Tony, Tom, John, and Cara (Ronni's children), and Bryan Jr. and April (Bryan's children). Gail is preceded in death by her father, Joseph Pittala; mother, Martha Pittala (Desmond); and sister, Joan MaCaya (Pittala).
Please visit www.nirakarasaraswati.com to celebrate her!
Tributes
"Miss you every day Mom. "
"Happy Mothers Day to my beautiful and kind hearted mother! I missed you yesterday but celebrated you in my own way. You would have been proud! "
"Good video... What is Alzheimer's disease? Hope this helps to to understand: https://youtu.be/9Wv9jrk-gXc"
"Momma have I? I miss you. You where everything and you always will be. You live on in me. AS I remember it: https://youtu.be/jYG3XALFv0E"
"AS I remember it: https://youtu.be/6zpYFAzhAZY"
"The last 5 years I got to know Gail very well. Through the changes in her mental and physical health her true personality was able to shine through. One of kindness, truth, and the ability to find humor in the most difficult of times. We had a bond without sharing a word. I'll miss you Gail. "
"Thank you : ) she is in a better place and she knew and felt loved in the end. Though it was difficult and one always feels they could have done more, I know and most importantly she knew, I did my very best for her! "
"I'm very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies goes out to the family and friends of Gail Pittala. May you be comforted by the future promise found at Revelation 21:4 which assures us that death will be eliminated forever. Until this promise is fulfilled may reflecting upon it provide you comfort in this time of great sorrow. "
"She loved Natalie Merchant and we sang these songs together, when she came from Seattle. "
"MOM as I remember it: http://youtu.be/uAwyIad93-c"
"MOM as I remember it: http://youtu.be/GryxQEhYRr4"
"For my Mom, I understand your courage!: It's a pity, it's a crying shame He pulled you down again How painful it must be To bruise so easily inside It's a pity, it's a downright crime It happens all the time You want to stay your little daddy's girl You want to hide from a vicious world outside Don't cry You know the tears will do no good, so dry your eyes Oh, your daddy, he's the iron man Battleship wrecked on dry land Your mama, she's a bitter bride, she'll never be satisfied Do you know? And that's not right But don't cry You know the tears will do no good, so dry your eyes Oh, they told you life is hard, misery from the start It's dull, it's slow, it's painful But, I'll tell you life is sweet inspite of the misery There's so much more to be grateful Well, who do you believe? Who will you listen to? Who will it be? 'Cause it's high time that you decide In your own mind I've tried to comfort you I've tried to tell you to be patient They are blind And they can't see Fortune gonna come one day, all gonna fade away Your daddy, the war machine And your momma, the long and suffering Prisioner of what she cannot see For they told you life is hard, misery from the start It's dull, it's slow, it's painful But, I'll tell you life is sweet inspite of the misery There's so much more, be grateful So, who will you believe? Who will you believe? Who will it be? Because it's high time that you decide It's time to make up your own, your own state of mind Oh, they told you that life is long, be thankful when it's done Don't ask for more, be grateful But, I'll tell you life is short be thankful Because before you know it will be over 'Cause life is sweet Life is, oh, so very short, life is sweet And life is, oh, so very short Life is sweet And life is sweet And life is sweet Natalie Merchant - Life Is Sweet Lyrics "
"Ronni's message was beautiful Tara! Thank you for delivering it in his absence and being there in support! I hope you found what you were searching for, and found some meaning in the experience. Your daughter, Gail's grand daughter, is beautiful and I know my mom would have just loved her!"
"I love you Mom, thank you for all the lessons!"
"She always loved you Sherri, and I am sure that she felt your presence in the end. Thank you for being there for that critical and very difficult time. It was a healing reunion of spirits kindled together in grace. We let her go as she wished, when her time came, instead of prolonging her suffering! Love you, Sister, Sharon."
"Although I did not have the opportunity to get to know Gail, I can say with my whole heart that I am glad I was able to be there standing by her bedside just days before she passed to share the touching words of love and grace sent to her by her son. May peace and comfort find all those who knew and loved her."
"When I was little you sang to me... "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are gray, you'll never know dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away. The other night dear, when I was sleeping, I dreamt I held you in my arms. When I woke up dear, I was mistaken, so I hung my head and cried. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away". I hope you felt my presence at the end. I hope you knew that your sunshine was at your side, and you didn't have to cry any more. I hope I made you happy. "
"On death... "... You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life? The owl whose night - bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light. If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; and like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring." The Prophet, Khalil Gibran."
"My Mom passed away with my sister by her side, and me draped over her, holding her hand, kissing, and caressing her while we coached her. We watched her take her last breath as we felt and saw the last beat of her heart and we gave her over to God! "
"Please accept my condolences for your loss. There is no worse pain then losing a loved one to death, I also want to share with you the hope that we find in the following Bible verses. God promise in Isaiah 25:8 these comforting word, "He will swallow up death for ever, and certainly wipe the tears from all faces. The Bible also says that God will wipe away the tears from our eyes and death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away (Rev. 21:3, 4). What great joy to be able to live forever without the fear of losing our loved ones again. It shall be as he has promise, for God can not lie, Titus 1:2. "