Gail Boyce

Gail S. Boyce, age 74, of Girard, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on January 15, 2026, following a long illness. She was born in Erie on September 25, 1951, a daughter of Clara Onyzsko Rinderle and the late Robert Rinderle. Gail, the oldest of seven siblings, was raised with a strong belief in her faith and family values, both of which she carried with her throughout her life and passed to her own children.

She was a graduate of McDowell High School Class of 1969 where she participated with the marching band as a Trojanette. Following high school, she earned a computer science certificate from Erie Business Center, where she met Bruce, her husband of 54 years, marrying in 1972. Gail worked at Marine Bank. She left work to stay home and raise their four girls, Robin, Kelly, Sarah, and Laura, whom she treasured with all her heart, becoming each of their best friend. Once the girls were in school, she returned to work, first at Fairview Hardware and then Gerlach’s Power Equipment as the parts manager for 25 years, retiring in 2021. Throughout, she always worked alongside Bruce at Boyce Fruit Farm, where she ran the sales. She is remembered fondly by schoolchildren across Erie County whom she led on tours through the orchard, showing them how apples grow and how a cider mill operates before pouring each of them a fresh cup of apple cider.

Gail was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Girard for over 50 years, where she taught youth religion classes, participated in prayer groups, and served as Eucharistic minister. In her free time, she loved to garden and tend to her flower beds, something she did even into her final months. Her cooking, often filled with fresh produce from the garden, brought the family together nightly. She loved to sit with her daughters snapping beans, shucking corn, or eating fresh tomatoes as they prepared dinner. Christmas was her favorite holiday, making traditions her family continues to carry on. Gail never turned down an opportunity to have fun, host a party, or be silly. No matter what was going on, she had the unmatched ability to make each person feel like they were the most special person in the room.

She is survived by her husband Bruce Boyce, and her daughters: Robin (Christopher) DeHaven of Frisco, Texas; Kelly Boyce (Jeff Miller), of Erie; Sarah Boyce (Nicoletta Cherry), of Girard; and Laura (Michael) McLoughlin, of Manlius, New York. In addition, she is survived by her mother and siblings Lynn (William) Grant, Robert (Elizabeth) Rinderle, Timothy (Jennifer) Rinderle, Jill (Jeffrey) Wheeler, and Eric (Melissa) Rinderle; and her sisters-in-law Cindy (Joe) Sirak and Connie (Patrick) Crowly. She also leaves behind in-laws, nieces and nephews, and friends, all of whom she cherished.

Becoming a grandmother was one of the joys of her life. Her love for Luke and Abigail DeHaven, Emma Ivan, and Patrick, Andrew and Dylan McLoughlin filled her heart.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her sister Lisa Rinderle, her parents-in-law Patricia and Charles Boyce, and her brother-in-law Gary Boyce.

Friends may call at Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street E, Girard, Friday, January 23, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 24, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 1001 Main Street E, Girard.

The family would like to thank the nurses on the 6th floor of UPMC Hamot for the love, care, and dignity they showed Gail over the past year. The team there was a bright spot despite the unpleasant complications of her illness.

The strength, resilience, and determination Gail showed throughout her 30-year illness left everyone around her in awe. She will be remembered for her love of life and living it to the fullest.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist Church, the Gertrude Barber Center, or the UPMC Pittsburgh Liver Research Center.