GAYLE ANDREA STEELE

June 12, 1938 - October 21, 2021

We always knew this day would come, but even a professional obituary writer feels unqualified to draft the story of a life so well-lived that it renders her clumsily stringing words together.

Gayle Steele, friend to all, left to be with her husband Michael on October 21, 2021, and is now rejoicing in the presence of Jesus Christ.

The hole she leaves behind is as painful as it is infinite, and although we know love is forever and we will see her again, her family, missing their matriarch, is reeling from her sudden departure and has decided that our mom, grandma, and “GG” earned every teardrop.

So, we cry. A lot.

Gayle was born to Monty and Ethel “Dutch” Garth on June 12, 1938, in Long Beach, Calif., but soon made her way to Bakersfield, where she lived most of her fun life. She was a lifeguard and a Job's Daughter; she was in North High School's first graduating class, earned a bachelor's degree from Fresno State, and then enjoyed (truly enjoyed) over 40 years of teaching (the bulk of that in sixth grade at Highland Elementary and Standard Middle Schools).

She met our dad in a playpen when they became neighbors, so it's no surprise that after spending her entire life devoted to him, she yearned for their reunion more than she let on. Together, they adopted two children, David “Chris” Steele and Dana Steele Martin, and convinced us that we were extraordinary, cherished, and chosen exclusively to be Mike and Gayle's kids.

Not everyone realized we were adopted; you'd never know it unless we told you.

But Gayle had a way of making everyone feel special. Her “Saturday Lunch Group” of friends and former teachers will miss her, as will her loving neighbors, Red Hatters, Vons employees, North Chester Pharmacy, her friends, our friends, everyone's friends, former students who still claim she was their favorite teacher, and dozens of neighborhood dogs, undoubtedly missing their treats from the lady in the white Ford.

Gayle leaves behind two children, Chris (wife Robin), and Dana (husband Robert), seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and countless others who say she treated them as her own.

We will miss her voicemail birthday songs, pumpkin bread, apple pies, tavern nights, texts, political rants, Facebook posts, kindness, and generous listening skills-but especially and without compare-the way she made everyone in her life feel special, valued, important, funny, smart, creative, charming, or beloved. She was the gold standard as a mom, grandma, great-grandma, teacher, and friend. She was the mom (and grandma) everyone wishes they had.

Gayle wasn't afraid to leave us; she lived carefree, generous, grateful, unapologetic, thankful-and left no doubt that she looked forward to eternity. During every family gathering, she looked around and said, “I'm so blessed.”

Gayle would want you to remember her by devoting your life to God and to your family so you can live without regret, as she did.

Services for this great lady will be November 4 at 3:00pm at New Life Church, 1300 Jewetta Ave., Bakersfield, Calif. We would love for attendees to wear shades of blue, her favorite color.