Gail Anstey Culver
Gail Anstey Culver, 78, of East Shelby, went home to be with the Lord at her home on Wednesday morning, April 29, 2020, after a battle with cancer, with her loving family at her side.
She was born in 1941 in Batavia to the late Charles and Mildred “Ann” Anstey (Schrader) and grew up in East Shelby, attending the one-room schoolhouse in East Shelby and graduating from Medina High School in 1959. She went on to become the first woman to graduate with a degree in mechanical technology from Erie County Technical Institute (now Erie Community College) in 1960. She married the late David G. Culver in 1963, and they were married for over 50 years before he passed in 2014.
She raised and leaves behind two boys, David C. (Tammy) Culver of Batavia and Daniel Culver of Medina. She also leaves behind a younger sister, Cheryl Tuttle (Anstey); grandchildren, Ashley (Josh) Dyrbala (Culver) of Oakfield, Erica Culver of Rochester, Chelsea Culver of Lyndonville, and Nic Culver of Medina; great- grandchildren, Chloe and Hailey Dyrbala; and her cats and dogs.
Gail’s life was full of community involvement; she worked for years at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge before moving on to The Arc of Orleans County and then Medina Memorial Hospital. Gail retired from her final career at Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension, where she was most proud of the Master Gardener program, continuing her work with 4-H, and promoting gardening for all ages.
Gail was a 4-H volunteer for over 40 years with Orleans County and was the first female chairperson of the Orleans County Fair. She spent countless hours helping kids learn and explore a vast amount of opportunities. She was named the Medina Journal-Register Outstanding Citizen at one point.
Throughout her life, Gail raised goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, pigs, cows and horses, and she was a wildlife rehabilitator. She took care of several wild animals, but she loved rehabbing deer.
During the last few years of her life, Gail enjoyed taking part in civil war reenactments throughout the country, as a civilian reenactor with the 9th New York Company B Civil War Reenactment Unit. Gail was also a 50-plus-year member of the East Shelby Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, serving in the majority of officer positions; and East Shelby Community Bible Church, where she enjoyed demonstrating how to make goat cheese, goat milk soap, and goat milk fudge.
There are no calling hours. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date at East Shelby Community Bible Church.
Per Gail’s request, memorials may be made to Orleans County Cooperative Extension 4-H Programs, 12690 NY-31, Albion NY 14411; or to East Shelby Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, 5021 East Shelby Road, Medina NY 14103; or to Richard Knights –Sue Kaderli Memorial Fund, P.O.Box #684, Medina NY 14103.
Arrangements were entrusted to Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home, 226 Pearl St., Medina NY 14103. Please share a memory of Gail or light a candle in her name at www.bogantuttlefunerals.com.
