Gail Kinsel

Gail Ann Kinsel had a way of making people in her life feel special. Gail was born in Deaconess Hospital in Detroit on Saturday, September 20, 1941. She was the first child born to Bess and Ed Harrison. Seven years after Gail’s birth, Bess and Ed had a second daughter Cynthia (Cindy). Their family created a wonderful home at 15650 Maddelein on the eastside of Detroit. Gail attended Burbank Elementary School for Kindergarten and then transferred to St. Jude Elementary School for grades one through eight. Gail is an alumnus of Denby High School and graduated in 1959. She met a young man named Jerry Kinsel at a graduation party (across the street) in June of 1956. Sometimes the universe works in wonderfully cosmic ways, they met for the first time in the home that they would later purchase to begin their own family. They were married in St. Jude on October 21, 1961. On November 16, 2011 Jerry passed away. Jerry and Gail had celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary just weeks before Jerry’s passing.

Gail often said she was not sure what she wanted to do when she grew up. Some of her work experiences included: babysitting, a soda jerk, sales associate at J. L. Hudson’s and Sears, teller at National Bank of Detroit, clerk at General Motors Acceptance Company, care taker at Main Street Academy and Evangelical Alzheimer Unit, and pastoral assistant at Nativity of Our Lord Church in Detroit. Her work at Nativity was the vocation which she most adored. She made many friends, who became family, and loved that her deep faith encouraged her to be an active and contributing role in a diverse and loving Catholic Community. This experience was a precious gift in her life. Her many work experiences were important to her but her true vocation in life was her commitment to her parents, husband, children, grandchildren, family, friends and neighbors who touched her life. They were the being of her existence. They were her North Star.

Through her loving marriage, Gail and Jerry had three wonderful children Kevin, Larry, and Mary Beth. They were doubly blessed to be involved in the lives of their grandchildren: Jacqueline, Harrison, and Andrew. Gail recognized that family is not always blood. It is the people in life who want you to be in theirs. In January 1987, Debbie DeWilde married Larry and blessed her family with much love, respect, and joy; and on May 24, 2009, Mary Beth married Lamont Acoff who became a wonderful stepfather, and loving addition to her family. On October 2, 2021, Andrew married Sarah and Gail gained another awesome Granddaughter. In June of 2020, Harrison and Brittani met each other, developed a loving and committed relationship, adding to Gail’s family further. Gail’s first Granddaughter, Jacqueline gave unconditional love, and a special and caring bond to Gail, always. After Gail’s Mother’s passing, Elsie Mannerow became a blessing and a loving partner to Gail’s father and a devoted grandmother for over 40 years. Ehab Oro became a fourth son to her, through his close friendship with Kevin. He enriched Gail’s life with joy and love. Gail leaves behind many cousins and family, whom she adored, and so many friends spanning her 81 years , they brought immense joy and love to her life.

Gail tried to do all things with honesty and integrity. Her perseverance and tenacity contributed to her outstanding character. Even though she was profoundly hearing impaired, she worked so diligently to not let her disability hinder her. She was a Faithful Servant and did her best to live her life by choosing to commit to acts of love and service, praying unceasingly, and trying her best to be a blessing in the lives of others. She advocated for social justice, love for all, and

compassion for those who needed it. Not only did she live her life according to these principles but taught them too.

Please consider joining her family and friends to share stories, grieve, support each other, and reminisce about the lives that Gail touched on:

Sunday, January 22, 2023

at Lee-Ellena Funeral Home

46530 Romeo Plank, Macomb, MI 48044

Visitation from 11:00-5:00 with a Memorial Service beginning at 5:00.

Dinner will follow.

Gail & her family request no flowers be sent. In lieu of flowers and you would like to make a monetary donation, you may do so to the following organizations:

Affirmations Community Center- Ferndale

American Library Association- Fighting Censorship & Banned Books

St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center

Envelopes will be available

If you are unable to make a donation:

Hug a loved one a little harder. Take a walk on a beach. Read a banned book. Spend some extra time with a loved one. Make a new friend. Pray a rosary for Gail. Tell a joke and laugh (a lot). In a few months, check on her family. Gail would have loved this.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gail Kinsel, please visit our Tree Store.