Gail Luella Parshall

Gail Parshall, age 85, loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, and teacher, died September 2, 2024, in Portland, Michigan, where she had lived for 60 years.

Gail taught mostly first grade for 30 years in Portland. She took a 10-year break from teaching after her first child was born to be a wonderful stay-at-home mom, and then began substitute teaching and finally returning full-time as a teacher once all three children were in school. She encouraged her children and students to always learn and grow, and she set an example when she enrolled in a master’s program at Michigan State University, once all three of her children had graduated from high school. She performed phenomenal research in lower-elementary reading practices, resulting in publishing her findings as part of graduation.

Besides her love for teaching, she had a passion for fine arts, including singing and painting. Gail was a member of the Portland United Methodist Church and loved traveling with her husband or her entire family, visiting many places in the U.S., including Alaska, as well as Europe. When not with her family, Gail enjoyed being with her close friends in her monthly Bridge Group and weekly after-church Coffee Group. For many years after retirement, she enjoyed wintering in Florida, where she sang in the Citrus Park Belle’s Choir and was a member of the park’s synchronized swimming team.

Born Gail Luella Spoon on March 29, 1939, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Barlow and Frances (Cullen) Spoon, she moved with her family to Coldwater, Michigan, after living 13 years in Beaverdam, Wisconsin. An accomplished and active student, including playing flute in the band and serving as class secretary her junior and senior years, she graduated from Coldwater High School in 1957. She attended Western Michigan University, where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and performed in the school’s Water Sprites team. She was a skilled swimmer, serving as a lifeguard while in college both locally and one summer at a camp on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee. She graduated from Western in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Soon after, Gail married her high school and college sweetheart, Douglas (Doug) Parshall and the couple moved to Greenville, Michigan, where both were teachers. Three years later, they moved to Portland.

Gail is survived by her husband, Doug, children Jim (Georgianne) and Nancy (Randy), her sister Janet (Marion “Sandy”) Sanderson, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and her beloved dog, Millie. Preceding her in death were her parents, her daughter, Susan, and a granddaughter.

A visitation will be held Friday, September 6, from Noon to 1:00 p.m. at Lehman Funeral Home in Portland with a memorial service immediately following. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), as September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lehman Funeral Homes.  Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gail Luella Parshall, please visit our floral store.