Buffalo mourns the passing of Gail Wells

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Gail Wells has rarely been seen missing from a community event in Buffalo.

She died earlier this week.

At Buffalo State University, she was known for her work as an Equity and Inclusion Facilitator who trained faculty and staff in the NCBI Equity and Inclusion Model. She worked at the university when it was known as Buffalo State College for more than 20 years.

Gail was vice president of the Western New York Land Conservancy Board.

The organization posted on social media that it “consistently puts its perspective and decades of expertise to work for the benefit of others.”

Gardening was a great interest of Wells. She founded the Buffalo Freedom Gardens in 2020.

She also served as chair of the Buffalo Green Fund and contributed to the “City’s Love Your Block” beautification program.

She was a fierce fighter for equity and social justice.

City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown called her “a pillar and valued leader in the Buffalo community.”

Wells was originally from New York, but moved to Buffalo for college. At the University at Buffalo, she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in urban planning.

Last year, she was honored at Buffalo’s Kwanzaa celebrations, which you can watch here.

A viewing will be held at the Alan Core Funeral Home, 1933 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY, on Friday, June 7 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, June 8, a wake will be held at 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will immediately follow at True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 East Ferry Street, Buffalo, NY 14215.