Catherine Gail McGrath

Age 86, of 4014 Trinity Road in Duluth died on the evening of Sunday September 8, 2024 the end result of a life well lived. She was born on July 3, 1938 in Poughkeepsie, NY to Dr. John J. McGrath and Margaret Eidle McGrath. Gail graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1956 and attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial school. She quickly found employment with IBM and remained there for the next 5 years. She married Roger W Doughty in 1963 and spent the next several years raising their two daughters. She later returned to the workforce after moving to Duluth in the 1970’s with her family. She and Roger divorced in 1991. Gail worked for St. Louis County for more than 25 years until her retirement at age 70 in 2008. She was an avid walker and hiker, grateful for time spent outdoors. Gail attended UMD’s University for Seniors for several years and was well traveled. She loved spending time at Hawk’s Ridge birdwatching. Gail was known as Nana to her granddaughters. Exceptionally intelligent and fiercely independent, Gail was a private person but also had a wry sense of humor. Gail is preceded in death by her parents and her granddaughter, Autumn McLain. 

She will be forever missed by her daughters, Beth (Tim) Helwig of Duluth, and Renee (Paul) Cool of Spicer. Gail is also survived by granddaughters, Lindsay (Mariah Johnson) Helwig of Duluth, and Alexa McLain of St. Louis Park; brother, J. Dennis McGrath of New York, NY; sister, Jill (Charlie) McGrath of Richmond, Virginia; in addition to nephews and niece, Adam, Valerie and Lucas Marquardt. Family will have a private Celebration of Life at a later date. Special thanks to Essentia Hospice for their attentive care.