Dr. Gail E. Reynolds passed away peacefully on August 22, 2025, at Millennium Memory Care Center in Matawan, NJ. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, she was the daughter of the late William and Leola Reynolds. Gail accepted Christ at an early age. Upon arriving in New Jersey from Chicago, she found a church home first in Elizabeth, New Jersey, at Mount Teaman AME Church, then North Stelton AME Church in Piscataway, New Jersey where she served for many years. She loved North Stelton AME, as evidenced by the many committees she served on at the church until her illness prevented her from active involvement. Gail seldom missed a church service. Her involvement was a natural part of her conversation with people.
Gail excelled in academics and was an honor student throughout her school years in the Chicago school system. She received a bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago, a master’s degree in clinical social work from The University of Illinois, and a doctorate degree in Education (Ed.D.) from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She earned her license to practice therapy as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of New Jersey.
Her career was marked by her commitment to young people’s mental health and well-being. She was the director of the first School Based Mental Health Program at New Brunswick High School, where she was loved and revered by students and staff alike. Gail maintained a private practice throughout her career, where she provided therapy to adults, children, and families. Gail provided vital consultation, workshops, and training on mental health through national, state, and local conferences and seminars.
She was a true trailblazer and ahead of her time. She saw that there was a need for educational services and support for pregnant girls so that they would not drop out of school to have their children. Gail crafted a first of its kind support system to allow for the pregnant girls to continue with their education. They received vital assistance so that they would not fall behind their peers. At the time, this was something that was not being done anywhere. She added additional counseling services to assist the needs of all of her students over the years to affect change in the life choices of her students. Her program became the model for other districts to emulate. This level of educational support is now commonplace throughout the state of New Jersey and throughout the country. We now know it as School Base Youth Services.
Her academic accomplishments extended outside academia to a love for travel, fashion, African American history, and African art. Always well-dressed in designer suits, accentuated by beautiful handbags and jewelry, Gail traveled all over the world to places such as Africa, Europe, Hawaii, Canada, and was a frequent cruiser to the Caribbean and other areas. Gail seldom returned home from a trip without an African art piece to add to her extensive collection. Her home featured African art reflecting her love of black history and our legacy as a people.
Gail was an excellent cook and loved to have her friends and family around to entertain. If Gail went to a restaurant and enjoyed the meal, rest assured, before she left, not only would she know how they had prepared the entrée, but she most likely would have given the chef some suggestions of different spices to use for next time! She loved to have her first cousin who she always called her “sister-cousin”, Brenda Logan to bring her children Lisa Logan-Leach, niece, and Thomas “Josh” W.S. Logan, III, nephew; Brenda’s grandchildren Lionel Anthony Leach, III and Thomas WS Logan IV, to come by to enjoy the holidays or just because. Aunt Gail affectionately called Josh “my boy”, because in her eyes, Josh could do no wrong. She was always ready to fix anything that he wanted to eat…because “he was my boy”!
Gail’s commitment to community service was evident in her membership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Phi Eta Omega Chapter, Rebecca Chapter #1 Order of Eastern Star-P.H.A., Golconda Court #16, involvement with The Civic League of Greater New Brunswick, The NAACP of Greater New Brunswick, The Eric B. Chandler Health Center, The New Brunswick Development Corporation, and The Urban League.
Gail was predeceased by her parents William and Leola Reynolds, and her brother, William “Billy” Reynolds of Chicago. Gail is survived by her first cousin and close friend, Brenda Logan, Brenda’s children, Lisa Logan-Leach and Thomas WS Logan, III and Brenda’s grandchildren, Lionel Anthony Leach, III and Thomas WS Logan, IV who all fondly called her “Aunt Gail”. In addition, she is survived by a host of other cousins and relatives in Plainfield, Birmingham, Chicago, Richmond, Atlanta and special friends, Helena Monroe and Leslie Morris. She will be deeply missed by a multitude of friends, colleagues, and Sorors who cherished her warmth, wisdom, generosity, and sense of humor.
Gail’s life was a shining example of a life well lived. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide with those who were fortunate enough to know her.