I feel so fortunate and blessed to share my true friendship with Gayle. Gayle was very special. She was strong, caring, thoughtful, and determined. She always had a warm smile on her face and her positive attitude was contagious. I will miss all the talks we had together. Heaven is so lucky to have Gayle as its special angel. 
Love, 
Chris de Steiger

My condolences to your family . My heart goes out to you Missy. Thinking and praying for you at this time. Love Cat Arcori

We met the Rushes the summer of 1977 at the bottom of our drive on Wortham Drive in  Hampton.  They walked over to greet and welcome us to our brand  new neighborhood! Us two moms stood there proudly as we introduced our husbands and our families.  Soon after that meeting,  Jer and I added a new member to our family, while Rick and Gayle out-did us by adding the twins to their lot.  The kids and dads spent hours playing basketball in Rushes drive.  We spent hours at baseball diamonds and football fields watching the boys play.  We took the kids to Red Barn. Us moms belonged to the Hampton bowling League. In the winter we traveled to Emerald Lanes for our bowling and morning coffee on Wednesdays. (Gaylee loved her coffee.) In the winter, the neighbors filed out of Hampton every other Sunday for our winter-get-away --- Bowling at Classic Lanes!! Then we had our Bowling Banquet where we ate and danced till we dropped. It was a magic time.
It was in Hampton that Gayle first learned of her condition...CLL.But you would never know it if you didn't know Gaylee personally. She never talked about it or complained.
Shortly thereafter, the Rushes move to Stoney Point.
Yes things changed!!  We didn't visit every day.  But our chatty phone calls kept us in touch, especially the 2 am hour long chats we would have in the wee hours of the morning.... (she had a hard time sleeping.)
After her transplant Gaylee never quite recovered...but still never complained.  She was such a  classey trooper.... ALWAYS  smiling her famous beautiful smile!!!
I was so blessed to be one of her many friends. 
We shared so much... mostly conversations of our children... The music we loved and shared. We loved Kenny G.  We loved "Pink Cadillac"  ...It was so Gaylee!... That accounts for the "Pink Cadillac ornament"  that  hangs on our Christmas tree... given to me by Gaylee.  Those songs keep rolling around in my head these days. I miss you so.  Friends forever, "Buddy". PINKY SWEAR!!!!

Gayle and Rick took me in as part of their family during a very dark time in my life.  I will forever be grateful that I got to spend several Christmas Eve’s  at the Rochester Cop House with their amazing family instead of being alone.  

Dear Missy,
Sending you and your family love during this very sad time.
Honored to have met your mom, a beautiful lady.
With love,
Milla and Jonny

I basically spent the majority of high school at the Rush’s house, they are and were like 2nd parents to me. I’m so heartbroken by the loss of Mrs. Rush, she was a warrior in the truest form and fought for so many years to be able to enjoy more time with her family. She will be missed dearly. 

Friends & Family:  This photo is displayed in our home for all to see  as a reminder of an amazing part of our life.  Rush's and Fraizer's started our families in Rochester.  Gayle was a dear friend and will be truly missed.  Our sympathy and prayers to Rick and the kids as we remember this wonderful lady. 

I will always remember Sunday evening dinners in High School over at the Rush house. Mrs. Rush was a terrific cook. Plus, there are only two people I was ok with calling me Dessie. One is my dad the other was Mrs. Rush. 

Rest In Peace. You and the Rush Family will always have a special place in my heart. 

Our hearts our broken.  We just thought she would make it through this medical crisis as she had done a hundred times before.  She was a fighter trying to beat the unbeatable foe. She epitomized that no matter how hopeless or no matter how far, she was willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause.  And that cause was to love her friends, and her family through it all. She fought the good fight, and she is finally at peace. Gayle was amazing and was always looking out for her family. She was my matron of honor at our wedding when she was 7 months pregnant with the twins!!!! She could have said “Are you kidding me?”, but no she said “Absolutely”. That was just Gayle and that was just the beginning of seeing her do so much for so many with her endless love and fierce determination.  Our love and prayers are wrapping around you Rick, and each family member.  It’s hard to say Rick and not Rick and Gayle. 'RickandGayle', seems like it is just one word, comes off the tip of our tongues.  Although she is not physically with us, each time we say Rick, inside we will be saying Rick and Gayle. Those we deeply love become a part of us, a part of you.   Susie and Paul

HI RICK so sorry to hear the news, my prayers are with you and your family your friend Howard 

I only met Mrs. Rush a few times.  I work for both of her sons and send out my prayers to her family.

A wonderful night out with Frank and Carol McPharlin.

Mrs. Rush was like a second mom to her kids' friends. I couldn't count the number of rides she gave me in that giant maroon van to various sporting events and other social activities. With 4 kids, I'm not sure how she made it to every activity, but it sure seemed like she was always there faithfully cheering us on and volunteering to help. She was gifted at hospitality - always opening her home for kids to play basketball in the driveway, hang out in the basement, jump on the trampoline, or to have parties and sleepovers. She fed us, engaged with us, and encouraged us - always with that bright, beautiful smile! Her husband and kids were so blessed to have her as their own, and so many of us were also blessed to spend time knowing her. She was such a sweet, beautiful soul, and God sure used her to show His love. May He now comfort all who are left behind, and may she enjoy her eternal reward in heaven! God bless you and comfort you, Rush family.


	I’m not sure that I can pinpoint the exact date when I first met Gayle and her family some thirty years ago, but I know that I was immediately drawn to her warmth, genuine kindness, sense of humor and great laugh. Becoming friends with Gayle was a true blessing. She epitomized this quote: “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in; their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” (Elisabeth Kubler Ross) She was a beautiful woman, inside and out, who radiated a tremendous amount of “light from within,” no matter her current circumstances. She was determined to live life and share her time and love with family/friends as fully as possible. She was a true thriver and survivor for almost twelve years, an inspiration to all who followed her journey. Cancer did not cripple her love for others, shatter her hope, corrode her faith, eat away at her peace, or destroy her confidence in who she was. It did not kill her friendships, erase good memories, silence her courage, or quench her spirit. 
My heart aches for the extended Rush family, who have had this bright light at the center of their lives go dark but I’m confident that they have a special guardian angel standing watch from Heavenly realms. Gayle taught me many lessons over the years about faith, hope, determination, strength of character, and, most of all, the tremendous power of love. Due to the restrictions and risks associated with Covid, we did not see each other as often these last couple of years but we nurtured our friendship via phone. These lyrics from the song, For Good, from the show, Wicked, summarize my love for Gayle:

"You'll be with me,
Like a handprint on my heart.
And now whatever way our stories end,
I know you have re-written mine,
By being my friend because I knew you.
Because I knew you,
I have been changed for good."                

 I will love you forever my friend! Cec


I’m completely heartbroken and will miss sweet Gayle.  I will cherish all the wonderful memories we shared over the past 25 years. I always loved when Rick and Gayle came to visit Missy at the University of Evansville, Oh did we have fun! As an adult I always love my visits to Michigan to see Missy and we always had dinner with Rick and Gayle, that was a must! When I think of Gayle I just smile. She was so easy to talk to, had a heart of gold, loved beyond measure, compassionate, empathetic, honest, a true warrior, a fashionista, and a woman who I love and adore. Big hugs to the Rush family. I pray for strength, comfort and peace during this difficult time. Continue to keep Gayle’s spirit alive. She truly was one in a million. I love all of you bunches, Jen Jen ❤️

Gayle was an individual that defined determination, positive outlook, grit and love of family and life.  Our friendship began 30 years ago as we enjoyed following our daughters (Missy & Maren) participating on school teams for softball, volleyball and basketball, from their elementary school days through high school. Our friendship has continued from those days until now. What she's endured over the past 12 years is well beyond most individuals capacity. Your legacy will live on for all who were blessed to know you. Thanks to Rick who explored every medical option and opportunity available, and providing the love, nurturing care and support to sustain her quality of life. With that her life was extended for years to enjoy her family and friends.  What a blessing your friendship has been to Cecilia and me.
 

Riding Harleys across America - oh the memories!


We have lost one of God's angels on this earth and our hearts are broken.  But Gayle would want all of us to remember the good times we shared.  She was beautiful inside and out and will be missed by family and many, many friends.  Our condolences to the entire Rush family.  May God wrap His loving arms around each and every one of you to ease your pain.  Cherish all the beautiful memories and may they bring smiles to your faces.  Good bye, dear friend, until we see you on the other side.  We are comforted by the fact that you will no longer suffer and you have your wings.

Words can not express the loss I feel in my heart. My dear friend GAyle was one of the sweetest people I know. I loved her smile and her honesty. We have shared many phases in our lives the good with the bad. But we always new we could count on each other. I will always remember her beautiful face and her kind heart. God is very lucky to have her. 

my mom loved the beach and had a blast on her first yoga retreat ❤️

One of the many birthday celebration dinners! Rush/Grebe

To Rick and all the Rush family, our hearts are shattered and praying that God’s love enfolds you all  and comforts you through the pain. Gayle fought a courageous battle for the last 12 or so years and now she can rest.  It’s been a roller coaster of a ride but so many good times we have had.  We would talk before going out to dinner and you and Jon would say, “you two won’t have anything to talk about at dinner,” but we would pick up right where we left off.  She was the best friend a person could ever have. I’m going to miss her so so much, but God had a plan and wanted her home.  She’s in the Promised Land where she will have no suffering and pain.  She is  with all her loved ones on death’s other side that are  opening the gates to welcome her home where she will live with God through eternity.  We love you Gayle and will see you again in heaven. Jill and Jon Grebe

Gayle just loved Mom and came into town to celebrate mom‘s birthday and take her out to dinner. Chris and I will miss my little sister very much. She was a bundle of joy always laughing. 

OBITUARY

Gayle Lynn Rush

10 June, 1950 – 8 February, 2022

Pixley Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services