Gayle was born in Chicago on February 7, 1948 and has been part of the history of the Research Station and of Galapagos for more than 20 years. In 1976 she arrived in this magical archipelago for the first time, to work as a volunteer for the Peace Corps, after completing her studies in zoology at Madison University in Wisconsin. She worked until 1979, designing exhibitions for the visitors' center of the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park Service. Afterwards, captivated by the enchanted islands, she stayed to continue working for the conservation of Galapagos with passion and total dedication. She fell in love with Godfrey Merlen in Galapagos and they were later married.
Until 1983 she worked as a naturalist guide. Afterwards she worked in the Hotel Delfin. Since 1987 Gayle has worked in the Research Station as the Head of the library and publications.
To speak of Gayle is to speak of a cheerful, generous person with a wealth of knowledge. She was a person loved by nature and animals. She had a special affinity with finches and her closest friends knew that from her patio she fed rice to several birds that visited her each day. Gayle and Godfrey at one time also looked after an injured blue footed booby for a few months, bringing it back to health.
She was always willing to help us, listen to us and offer us support and advice. We couldn't leave out, perhaps what is our strongest memory, her home ground "the library". Her life was among the books and from her corner she had a smile for everyone. She helped us all to find information, told us numerous anecdotes, and always kept a careful watch on her books and publications.
In 1999 when the Darwin Foundation celebrated its forty-year anniversary, Gayle received a special prize for the years she had given working for the conservation of Galapagos.
We will miss seeing you, Gayle, on your daily walk to the Station. You have left your mark on each of us that had the honor of knowing you.
Rest in Peace.