Obituary of Gale Young

Gale (Sakaris) Young, 75 of Venice, FL; formerly of Hardwick, Oxford, and Wilbraham, MA; passed away peacefully after a vibrant and “full of life” quiet battle with lung cancer on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at Tidewell Hospice Care Center in Venice.

She was born in Peabody, MA, and was predeceased by her parents, James J. and Elizabeth (Klangos) Sakaris. 

Gale is survived by her daughter, Gretchen R. (Studeny) Silva, and her husband David of Carver, MA; her sister, Athena E. (Sakaris) Gamache, and her late husband Michael of Carver, MA; her granddaughter, Olivia E. Silva of Carver, MA; many cousins, and a large network of friends.

She is also predeceased by her son, Jared C. Studeny of Lanesboro and Wilbraham, MA, and by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She earned a Master's in Piano and Voice from UMass Amherst and taught in Wilbraham public schools for many years.  She performed in operas and musical shows and became a vocal instructor later in life.

For many years, Gale owned and operated a thriving boarding kennel and animal transport business in Oxford, MA.  Upon moving to Hardwick, MA she worked at the Eagle Hill School as the Co-Director of Admissions for foreign students, where she ran a cooking and a puppy club as an afternoon activity for the students.

She was an AKC judge and active participant in the sport of purebred dogs for 50 years.

“Gale purchased her first Weimaraner in 1973 and the rest was history. She bred and exhibited Weimaraners under the Starwood/Starhaven prefix participating in conformation, obedience, and the Field. She bred a multitude of successful dogs but perhaps she was best known for GCHP Starwood’s Reinhard V Dietz CGC TKN, a multiple All-Breed Best In Show winner, BOB at Westminster Kennel Club and the AKC National Championship as well as the #1 Weimaraner Breed & All-Breed in 2018.  Gale also bred Norfolk Terriers for decades, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Miniature Pinschers.  A former member of PHA, Gale was a Professional Handler for many years” (Canine Chonicle).

In 2018, she moved to Venice, FL where, in true Gale fashion, she was the social coordinator of the community.  She initiated monthly block parties, organized a book club, attended the Ladies Luncheon, and participated in regular mahjong and bridge games, water aerobics, and bible study.  Gale also worked teaching ESOL.  She was the secretary for the Quail Lake Homeowners Association and generated an updated web presence, online billing system, and monthly newsletter.

Gale adjudicated the Norfolk Terrier Club of America National Specialty show in 2011 at Montgomery Kennel Club.  She also was an active participant in many different dog clubs holding a variety of positions including a founding member of the Florida Sporting Group, a member of the New England Sporting Dog Association and on its board of directors, Show Chair for the Ladies Dog Club of Framingham, past chairperson of the Yankee Weimaraner Club, a member of the Weimaraner Club of America, and she cared for and placed many rescue dogs for the club.  She was also active in the Judge’s Education program.

She loved cooking and travel and was an “inspiration, living into her life changes and moving through challenges resolutely and passionately”.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 2^nd, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. in Farley Funeral Home, 265 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice, FL.  A visitation will be prior to the Celebration of Life from 2:00 – 3:00 pm in the funeral home.  Cremation to follow with a second memorial service in Massachusetts date TBD.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gale’s honor to the charity of one’s choice.