Gail L. Black

She is survived by her three sons, Andrew Putnam (Cindy) of North East, PA; Lawrence Putnam (Jill) of Fredonia NY; and Robert Black (Christina) of Westfield NY; as well as nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and a loving dog named “Mayigo”. Gail was a 1957 graduate of Bemus Point High School and discovered her passion for writing while attending classes at Jamestown Community College, and Westmoreland Community College (Pittsburgh). She eventually became an accomplished author publishing multiple magazine articles, writing three autobiography books, and selling thousands of copies of them online and at her agritourism business. As a young adult, she partnered with her father, Lawrence Love, as a co-owner of “Moonbrook Fur Farms”. She also worked as a substitute school bus driver, police matron, and land-lease agent for Chautauqua Energy in Westfield. From 1972 to 1997, she owned and operated a commercial grape farm and custom harvest business known as “Vinewood Acres”. In 1991, Gail founded the “Sugar Shack”, an agritourism business that produced and sold a wide variety of handmade fruit syrups, butters, and maple products. Eight years later, she expanded the business to include improved farm property tours and a pancake restaurant. In 2022, she closed the Sugar Shack and opened the “Asses and Angels Book and Farm Museum” in its place to showcase many artifacts that were featured in her autobiographies and to continue sales of her books. Gail enjoyed being a member of the American Legion, Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, 4-H, Western New York Mink Breeder’s Association, National Grape Co-operative , Grower’s Grape Juice Cooperative, Westfield Maid Grape Cooperative, Chautauqua County Tourism Board, Westfield Police Department, Westfield Counseling Board, and Writer’s Ink. She also served on the National Seaway Trail Board of Directors and as an appointed member of the Chautauqua County Small Business Commission. She was an avid hunter and loved the great outdoors. She loved taking visitors to her trophy room where fish, white tail deer, and other taxidermy found space on her walls. She was the subject of many articles in national and international publications. She belonged to Safari International, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Rifle Association. In July 2024, at the age of 85, she published a story in the African Hunting Gazette detailing her recent successful safari in South Africa. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Irene and Lawrence Love, her sister, Carol Love Swanson (John B.), her maternal Grandparents, Eugene and Ruth Beach, and her paternal grandparents, Dunbar and Bertha Love.

Per Gail’s wishes there will be no funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Chautauqua County Hospice and Palliative Care or Best Care Coordinators, LLC (of Panama NY); both of which provided wonderful counsel and spectacular, comforting care to ease her end of life transition.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason Funeral home, 37 Clinton St. Westfield, NY. Please share online condolences at www.masonfuneral.com.