Gael began her life in Chicago and Greg in Phoenix, but they met up in the Loch Ness Monster Pub over a game of darts in Pasadena, CA, in 1981. They were married in 1982 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena (the biggest Episcopal Church west of the Mississippi River) and later joined a smaller parish in nearby Sierra Madre, CA. They moved to Portland in June 2005 and were members at St. John’s in Milwaukie, before deciding to visit us during Advent in 2018. They have felt warmly welcomed into our community.
Greg and Gael have three grown children; son, Colin, and daughter, Brenna, live nearby in the Portland area, and their daughter, Ashlinn, lives in Brooklyn, NY. They also have a ten-year old Bichon Frise named “Scout.”
Greg worked in purchasing during much of his career—e.g., in aerospace, manufacturing and in the entertainment industry. Here in Portland, he works at the Healthy Bread Store for Dave’s Killer Bread. Gael was a teacher in California, but now works as a life coach and hypnotherapist.
The Smiths are movie buffs, and especially enjoy documentaries. They like dancing together, and Gael folk dances when she gets the chance. Greg likes to study history and the Bible, while Gael prefers true crime stories and enjoys practicing as an armchair forensic scientist.
Though they originally intended to “lay low” for a year and settle in, they have already been recruited to serve as ushers and look forward to it!