Ballston Lake, NY - Gail Harney-Wardell passed away at home on Monday, May 8, 2023. She was born on June 18, 1953 to John and Elise Bulger, the second of their 5 children. She attended schools in Valhalla, NY, graduating from Valhalla High School in 1971. Gail began working before graduation at AT&T as a secretary and enrolled in some college courses.

In 1972, she met James Harney on a blind date. They were married a year later on October 7, 1973. Together, they raised four children in Mahopac, New York. Gail left AT&T after her first two children were born and was a stay-at-home mom who was able to send her children to Catholic school, volunteered for school events, was the co-leader of her daughter's Girl Scout troop and her son's cub scout pack, and generally took care of everyone. She served on the Parish Council for St. John the Evangelist Parish in Mahopac, New York while her kids were still in school.

Gail loved to sew and was a talented seamstress. She could look at any dress or article of clothing and recreate it without a pattern. When her youngest sister wanted to wear their mother's wedding dress but the dress was too fragile to alter, Gail recreated the dress for her sister. She made prom dresses, christening gowns, shirts, pillowcases, bridesmaid dresses and even her daughter's wedding dress. If it could be sewn, Gail would figure out how to do it. She also worked at JoAnn Fabrics part-time, just to get the discount on her purchases and so she could touch the fabric in the store whenever she wanted. As her kids got older, Gail was promoted to a manger position partly in charge of the fabric. A dream job!

When Jimmy died in 2003, Gail found herself at a crossroads. She decided to head back to school and became a medical coder. Going back to school was always a dream of hers and she loved anything and everything medical in nature. She loved learning about the various medical procedures and the impact medicine could have on the body. Upon earning her certificate, she went to work in the coding department of Saratoga Hospital, where she was still working when she died.

Gail found herself on Match in 2017 and was lucky to meet Ed Wardell. Her life wasn't the same since. They had their first date at one of their favorite places to eat, the 99. During a dream trip to Hawaii, they were married on the beach on February 24, 2022 with their families by their sides.

Gail is survived by her husband, Edward Wardell and her daughters, Kelly (Trent) Hermann, Diane (Brian) Buderman and Maureen (Joseph Mucinski) Harney. Her son, Tommy, died in 2016.  She is also survived by her stepdaughters, Kerri Wardell and Kristin (Dave) Needham; her grandchildren Emily, Matthew, Molly, Haley, Bridget, Kaitlin, Anthony, Chloe, Riley and Jameson; and her siblings John Bulger, Karen (Tyler) Grant and Linda (Michael) Krawec.  Her brother, Eddie, died in 2010.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who will have the memories of so many 4th of July parties that featured Aunt Gail's macaroni and shrimp salad and cheesecake over the years.

Relatives and friends may call from 5-8pm, Monday May 15, 2023 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am, Tuesday, May 16 at St. Clement's Church 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Burial will follow at 11:30am at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gail's memory may be made to Shriner's hospital (https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en).

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com