Gail Margaret Hazelwood Leggett

Gail Margaret Hazelwood Leggett, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on the afternoon of May 13, 2025, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida. She had spent several weeks in the hospital, fighting a courageous battle with pneumonia and other health complications, demonstrating the same strength and determination that defined her life.

Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Gail spent her early life in the heart of New England before moving to Florida as a teenager—a place where she found sunshine, community, and, most importantly, love. It was in Florida where she met her soulmate, Terry Wayne Leggett. Together they built not only a life, but a partnership rooted in love, hard work, and deep devotion. Gail worked alongside Terry at the family business, Leggett Heating and Air Conditioning, where she kept the office running just as she did her household—with dedication, order, and a loving touch.

Gail was the proud mother of Theresa Lavon Turner (Anthony Turner) and Traci Louise Warlitner (Billy Warlitner), and the cherished grandmother of Ashley Lyonwood, Colby Turner, Brooke Warlitner, Sydney Turner, and Bridgette Warlitner, who lovingly called her “Maggie”. She also leaves behind her devoted siblings Andrea Swift, Jan Watson, and Frank Hazelwood Jr. She now joins her loving parents, Louise Richardson Hazelwood and Frank Hamilton Hazelwood, in eternal rest.

To know Gail was to love her. She had a quick wit, a bright smile, and a nurturing spirit that made everyone feel like family. She was the quiet strength behind every celebration, the peacemaker, the organizer, the glue that held generations together. Whether she was cheering from the sidelines, hosting family gatherings, or offering gentle advice, she led with love and gave of herself completely.

Beyond her roles as wife and matriarch, Gail was a woman of many passions. She was an avid bowler, a proud member of the Boone Park Tennis Club, and active in the Jacksonville Garden Club. She loved to travel, especially to Alaska—a place whose cool climate suited her famously, as she was always “running hot.” She found joy in discovering the world but always returned home with stories, photos, and souvenirs that became part of her family’s memories.

Known for “putting on her face” before heading out and making sure her hair was just right, Gail carried herself with grace and dignity. She took pride in the way she presented herself—not out of vanity, but because she believed in showing up fully for those she loved. And while she cared deeply for others, she never hesitated to enjoy the simple pleasures in life—especially chocolate. Whether it was a small treat after dinner or a hidden stash for special moments, chocolate was her favorite indulgence, a little sweetness she allowed herself with a knowing smile.

One of Gail’s greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, and she made countless cherished memories with them during school breaks and summers. Whether it was a carefully planned vacation or a spontaneous road trip, she delighted in showing them the world and building lasting traditions. Some of her most treasured moments were spent at the family lake house, where days were filled with sunshine, laughter, card games, and conversations that stretched late into the evening. It was there, surrounded by the people she loved most, that Gail was truly in her element—relaxed, joyful, and entirely at peace.

Gail never met a stranger. She had an effortless way of striking up a conversation with anyone—whether in the grocery store line, on a plane, or in the waiting room of the doctor’s office. Her warmth and sincerity drew people in, and her natural curiosity about others made everyone feel seen and valued. She could make a friend out of anyone, and often did.

Gail was the heart of her family, a constant source of warmth and wisdom. Her laugh, her hugs, and her unwavering presence will be profoundly missed—but her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped and the love she so freely gave.

To honor Gail and her memory, the family is hosting a Celebration of Life for close friends and family at the Ortega River Club, Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for potted plants, as Gail was an avid gardener or for donations made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Amyloidosis Research Consortium, two organizations close to Gail’s heart.