To my best friend, I have memories of all the fun times we have had over the years.  I regret that we didn't make it to lunch for your birthday.  I miss you.

I work at Wayne State University in the Computing Center.  I never met Gayle in person, but I had the opportunity to speak with her on the phone when we were conducting business.  She was genuinely friendly and we talked about a lot of things that were not only business, but personal.  I am truely sad that we will not be able to speak to each other again, but I just had to let her family know that they have my sincere sympathy and prayers.

Steve and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during this difficult time. We had a lot of fun years playing softball in our younger days. I will always remember Gayle and her smile.

My deepest condolences on your loss of Gayle.  During my time at Merit, I saw her and we chatted nearly every day.  I enjoyed her sense of humor, her willingness to help on anything, and her stories and love of her family.  I am so sorry for your tragic loss.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss.  God Bless your family.  Bruce & Virginia Sepanak

Our condolences to Gayle's family and friends. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time. So sorry we could not attend the services to honor Gayle but we were welcoming our first grandchild to the world. We hope Gayle knows she will be missed.

I'll always remember Gayle calling Keith "Gordon" on Stevenson Street. We had 2 Seans, 2 Keiths, 2 Ryans, 2 Johns and a whole lot of memories shared.

I am saddened to hear about Gayle.  May God give you all strength at this time to heal from your loss.  I haven't forgotten the kindness she always showed me when I babysat for the kids many years ago. She will be sadly missed.

Our condolences to the Family & Friends of Gayle. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time.

We'll always remember Stevenson St in Flint, where all the kids grew up. Gayle would call Keith Gordon and I would call Keith Edward. We had 2 Ryans, 2 Seans, a couple of Johns, also. A lot of kids grew up on that street and we have a whole lot of memories to share.

It is with great sadness that I make this entry to echo what everyone else has already said.  Merit has not been the same since Gayle became ill and she, her smile and her laugh will continue to be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this very sad time.  We are so very sorry for your loss of Gayle.  May God comfort each of you.

I worked with Gayle for a short time at the Merit Network when I was a temp there. I worked more closely with Gayle than anyone else. It was so wonderful walking into Merit and seeing her smile and feeling her positive energy. She was so beautiful inside and out. l always enjoyed talking and laughing with her about her kids that are my age. We all miss you.

Dear Steve & family,

You and Gayle were wonderful neighbors to my mother.  I will always remember Gayle as a loving, caring, generous & happy person.  So very sorry for your loss.

With deepest sympathy for the family.  If you knew anything about Gayle, it was how much she cared for her family.  Her Grandchildren meant everything to her.  She was a truely kind and admirable person and we are all lucky to have shared time with her.  She has been will always be deeply miss.  May your solace be that she is in the arms of the Lord.  God Bless.

My deepest sympathy to your family. My thoughts and Prayers are with you Steve and your family. Gayle will be missed dearly. Elwood Downing, Merit Network

I knew Gayle at UM-Flint and am sad to learn of her passing.   My prayers are with her family at this time.   She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

I worked with Gayle for her entire time at Merit. Most of those years we were 'neighbors', sharing a common cube wall. I will miss our daily conversations about work, life and most of all family. I feel like I have gotten to know Steve, the kids, and all of the grandkids through those conversations. We shared many laughs, and even a few tears through the years.
She will be missed greatly by her Merit family.
My condolences to the family. Our loss is Heaven's gain. I know that Gayle will be up there smiling down on us all.

Steve and family,

Jodie, Todd, and Julie send their heart felt words of support.  Gayle was truly a wonderful person.  She touched the lives of so many, and we all seemed to get to know all of you through her.  Her love for you was never in question.  Through our days at UM-Flint, Merit and NANOG, I came to Gayles strong work ethic and family committment.  In the days, weeks, and months ahead please know that you can draw upon all of Gayles friends.  Her reach was far and wide.

With great sadness in my heart.

Betty Burke

There are no words to express the sorrow we all felt at Merit upon learning of Gayle's death and can only imagine how devastating this must be for her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this sad and difficult time. 
I will personally miss her dedication and exuberance.   It was a pleasure to work with Gayle.   

Sincerely wishing her family and friends peace and healing,

To the Russell family:
Please accept my deepest condolences in your time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
Rich Brotemarkle

It was an honor to work with Gayle and her wonderful spirit will be missed greatly.  

Thinking of Gayle's family as they go through this difficult time.  She loved them so much.

I love you soooo much grandma i will miss alot i can`t help but to think about all the fun times we had together i`ll miss you alot grandma love you. -love lexi

I also worked with Gayle at Merit many years ago, and I fondly recall her laugh and always having a smile on her face, even when there was not anything to smile about.  I know she will be missed by the many who knew her.

I always looked forward to seeing Gayle at the Merit Network conference every year.  When I first met her, I would see her in the hall at Arbor Lakes, and we always stopped to talk about her grandchildren.  She was a wonderful person, and will be missed.  My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

We offer out sincere sympathy .  Gayle has been in our thoughts and prayers during her fight for life.

You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  Gayle was a delightful person and I am glad that I had the opportunity to work with her for several years.  I will miss her.

I never really met Gayle but I had a few quiet conversations with her on how much she was loved.  My prayers are with Gayle and her family at this time. Gayle I met your family and they are truly wonderful people.  God be with you.

Over many years that I was a customer of Merit, Gayle was the person who handled arrangements for conferences, and set up our accommodations in the Ann Arbor area.  She was always extremely outgoing, dedicated to details, and always added a personal touch to helping me understand what the event details were.  At conference registration, I would talk with her about her family her personal pursuits.

When I became a Merit employee in February of this year, it was good to see Gayle, a familiar face from so many years, and a welcoming one at that.

I will always remember her as a helping and engaging person.  She was a building force for Merit's integrity.  May the Heavens receive her gracious and beautiful nature.

Steve,
So sorry for your loss
May God bless your family and ease your sorrows.
Cecil and Elaine Schott

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Your whole family is in our hearts and prayers, Gayle was a wonderful Mom and Grandma and truly loved her family.  She will be missed. Joe and Carol Hamlin and Family

Gayle was always a bright spot in my day. She will be missed by all of us at Merit. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

My deepest condolences to Gayle's family. She loved and was proud of you all, and spoke of you often. I miss Gayle every day and can only imagine the loss you are feeling. She was a great woman and we were all fortunate to know her.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. 
Su pandian

I worked with Gayle at Merit and even though I only knew her for 6 months her wonderful smile and engaging personality made her a fast friend.  I will miss our talks about our families.  She loved you all very much and you were all the center of her world.  Her face lit up whenever she talked about her family.  I feel privledged to know Gayle.  Rest in peace my friend.   
Patty Giorgio

Dear Steve and Family,

Sending my heartfelt sympathy upon the loss of one so dear.  Gayle was truly a special lady.  We shared a lot of good times working together in Ann Arbor, and I will miss her greatly.

Thinking of all of you with admiration and caring.

Fondly,

Carol Wadsworth
Merit Network

Gayle was the first person at Merit Network that I really worked for. It was such a pleasure to work with her! She does so much work that goes un-noticed because it is all behind the scenes. When Gayle and I would set up for events in the conference rooms, downstairs, etc. we were always smiling and laughing. Gayle brought so much joy and peace into my life. That is something that I will never forget. I never saw Gayle without a smile and I refuse, even through this sad time, to think of her and not smile myself. I may not have known Gayle as long as most of you have, but it doesn't take long to realize what a Blessing Gayle was to the world! 

Rest In Heavenly Joy Gayle! And know You are ALWAYS Loved! 

Miss and Love You,
<3 Ashley

OBITUARY

Mrs. Gayle Louise Russell Terkeurst

April 20, 1954 – June 22, 2010

Brown Funeral Home

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