Eleanor Gail Morrissey

Eleanor Gail (Brooke) Morrissey, age 88, of Newbury Court in Concord, and formerly of Wayland, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 11, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late James J. Morrissey, Jr., who passed away in 2013.

Eleanor Gail Brooke was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, on March 17, 1938, a daughter of the late John and Eleanor (Jahn) Brooke and later recognized Ernest “Ellis” Knotts as her father when her mother remarried. She graduated from Havertown Township Senior High School and later earned her degree in Home Economics from Drexel University.

Gail, as she was affectionately known by family and friends, enjoyed a fulfilling career as a writer, educator, and entrepreneur. She was a talented and accomplished writer with published articles in a variety of magazines including Brides Magazine, Cricket, Mature Living, Real Woman, The Rotarian, Vibrant Life, and Living with Teenagers.

Throughout her career, Gail’s creativity, curiosity, and love of learning were evident in all that she pursued. Gail was a long-standing substitute teacher in the Wayland and Lincoln/Sudbury school system, an active member in the Philanthropic Educational Organization (a.k.a. the PEO sisterhood), a voracious reader, and a faithful member of her church.

Family was at the heart of Gail’s life. She cherished her loving sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, and treasured the many happy memories they created together. She especially enjoyed gardening, baking, painting, needlepoint, and was an avid bridge player. Gail will be remembered for her generosity through charitable giving, bridge playing skills, her infamous chocolate chip cookies, and the lasting impression she made on those fortunate enough to know her.

She is survived by her sons, Mark Morrissey and his wife, Tracy, of Sedona, Arizona, and Craig Morrissey and his partner, Seta Atamian, of Belmont; and her beloved grandchildren, Ellie, Jody, and Jake. She is also survived by her brother Rev. Dr. David A. Knotts and his wife, Sandra, of Reading, Pennsylvania. She was the sister of the late Jaqueline Bullock and the late Ginny Knotts.

Services for Gail will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to:
The Parkinson’s Foundation
New England Chapter
Attn: Donor Services
5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310
Miami, FL 33126
305-537-9919
http://www.parkinson.org/

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com