Gail A. Backus

Gail was born in Detroit, Michigan to her late parents Ralph and Ernestine Tischler December 10th, 1935. Gail was raised her whole life in Utica, Michigan, graduating and proud alumna from Utica High School. Gail was a lifetime parishioner of St. Lawrence Catholic Church,Utica,from Baptism until her death September 4th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. While at St. Lawrence Church is where Gail met the love of her life, Pete, with whom she has celebrated 60 years of marriage. Gail is the loving mother of Terri A.(Michael) Kelm, Peter P. (Bridget) Backus and Sharon M. (Timothy) Boettcher. Dearest grandmother of Jordan Watson, Cameron and Claire Backus. Her surviving sister Donna (late husband Joseph) Miller. Gail devoted her life to God and to the Catholic Church. While at St. Lawrence Church, she was a member of Christian service and enjoyed volunteering for many parish events. Gail’s greatest gift was her devotion to her family, always placing her loving husband, children and grandchildren first, always wanting to make sure everyone was taken care of and showered with her love. She was very proud of her three grandchildren and all their accomplishments, she loved watching her grandson’s sporting events, her granddaughters dance recitals and listening to them play the violin. Because of her love of flowers she became a floral designer and created arrangements as well as enjoyed gardening her whole life. Gail enjoyed traveling with her family and visiting friends and family all over the country. She loved to entertain, throw a party or dinner and made sure everyone had plenty to eat and had a good time, a good drink and a toast to the moment. She loved to dance and “cut a rug” with her husband Pete. She loved to bake and always made every dinner, birthday and holiday celebration special. She loved the holidays and decorating her home for the seasons. Gail loved to shop, one of her favorite hobbies! She always found the perfect gift for everyone and the perfect dress for herself. She loved the fall season and traveling through Michigan seeing the beautiful colors. She loved golf and the hack & whack family golf outings, and loved watching the Masters golf tournament every spring and celebrating the Red Wings Stanley Cup championships with family. Her favorite times were with family and friends sitting around the bonfire up at the family lodge, evening cruises on the pontoon boat, laughing, telling stories and whooping it up! Family will received friends for visitation Monday, September 9th from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:00 pm at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road,3 Blocks East of VanDyke on the north side of M-59), Utica, Michigan. Tuesday, September 10th, 2019. Gail will lie in state at 9:30 am until the time of her Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 44633 Utica Road (south of Hall Road), Utica, Michigan. Following her Funeral Mass, everyone is invited to her Funeral Luncheon at the St. Lawrence Social Hall (next to church). Burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Christian Memorial Cemetery, Rochester Hills, Michigan. Memorials contributions appreciated to The Capuchins, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207. Please share a memory with her family at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com

Gail A. Backus

December 10, 1935 - September 4, 2019