Gail Skucas

Gail Skucas (nee Gailutė Stasė Jūratė Vaičiūnas) Greece: died on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at age 82 from a long illness. Born August 8, 1942 in Lithuania, her family fled the Soviet Army and made its way to German displaced persons camps until arriving at Ellis Island in 1949. After a few years in Pennsylvania, the family settled in Roselle, New Jersey, where Gail was an active member of the Lithuanian heritage community. She graduated in 1964 from Rutgers University with a degree in French literature. At age 20, she left for a year in Paris, which cemented her as a true francophone. In 1965, Gail married Jovitas Ginutis Skucas, MD, whose career took them to New York City and Indianapolis before settling in Hilton, NY. By this time, Gail was busy with three young children, but her love of the French language motivated her to get a teaching degree by attending night classes. She taught French, Spanish, and Russian for Barker School District for 18 years, and organized trips to France so that her students could experience its culture for themselves. Gail was also active in the Rochester, NY Lithuanian community: she danced with the Lazdynas folk dance ensemble, took part in scouting, and studied traditional weaving in Canada and Lithuania. She volunteered her summers to teach seminars for teachers in Lithuania, and after retiring, returned to live there for part of the year. She is survived by Jovitas, her husband of 58 years; her three children and their families; her two sisters and their families; and countless friends and students whose lives she touched. Friends may call Sunday (April 21st) 1-3 PM at Vay-Schleich and Meeson, 1075 Long Pond Road. Calling also will be held in church, Monday (April 22nd) 9-11 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 150 Varinna Drive, Rochester, NY 14618 followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in church. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to support the Rochester and Finger Lakes chapter of the Alzheimer’s Foundation in her memory.