Gaila Elaine Sipe Obituary (1922 - 2016)

On May 9th the brightness of this world was forever subdued as Gaila Sipe rejoined her one true love and was once again able to hold her long lost baby. She was born on August 6, 1922 and grew up during the Great Depression. Her mother died when she was 14 and she took on the role of mother for her two younger brothers. She married Glen A. Sipe on July 20, 1941 and within a year or two started a family. Tragically, their first child Gary survived for only a couple of days after birth. Shortly after their loss, Gaila tended to the needs of home while Glen shipped off to war in the pacific for 3 years. Later when the war ended, she and Glen attempted to grow their family once again. This time it would only grow and strengthen over time When they tried again, they were blessed with a baby girl they named Glenda. Soon after Glenda, followed a second daughter they named Jennifer. A few years went by and they were once again blessed with a third daughter who they named Roxanne. As the girls grew and as Gaila and Glen thought their family well established, to their utter surprise they found themselves expecting another baby. This time, the baby was a boy and they named him Jeffrey. Gaila and Glen were middle aged when Jeff came along and instead of a late life burden as another couple may have viewed him, he was a source of joy and laughter for them both, a fountain of youth for his aging parents. Gaila and Glen never had much money but they had a family that was rich with love. Gaila loved to travel with her family to visit with friends and other family and occasionally, to go camping. Gaila's children grew up and left the house as children must do and began families of their own. Glenda married John and gave Gaila and Glen two grandchildren, a girl and a boy named Kari and Neil. Roxanne later married Joe and gave them four grandchildren; two boys and two girls named Joseph, James, Sarah and Laura. On December 18th, 1986 Glen unexpectedly passed away. The family was devastated and Gaila was the anchor that helped her family weather that stormy period. Yet shortly after Glen's passing, life once again sprouted from the ashes of our sorrow as Jeff and his wife Karen announced they were expecting their first child. They had a baby boy who they named Mason. Gaila's family was still growing. Two more boys quickly followed their older brother into the world and were named Miles and McKenzie. As time marched on, Gaila's grandchildren starting giving her great grandchildren. First came Rebecca and Thane. Years later came Cadence and then Madelyn and Isabella. Madelyn and Isabella were quickly followed by Patrick, Paulie, Gracelynn and Jacob. Jeff later remarried to Anne and brought more grandchildren and great grandchildren into the family fold. Gaila was a woman who knew how to enjoy life and her family was her greatest source of joy. During her life she happily took on many roles and as she performed them, she imbued them with her zest for life and her love of family, and in doing so she planted the seeds that she would nurture and care for as they grew into a great clan. Her love begot a family with strong roots as every member deeply carries the same love for one another as a result of the love that she bestowed upon each of us every day. Her comforting and loving presence will be forever missed by those of us who knew her best. Yes, our hearts may be heavy with sorrow, but there is also pride and joy. Pride at having known and loved such a wonderful woman and joy because she is now reunited with lost loved ones and joy for the knowledge that we too shall someday be reunited with our beloved Gaila. Surrounded by her family, Gaila joyfully and peacefully ascended to Heaven to be reunited with her parents, her first born son Gary, her husband Glen and her two brothers Bob and Tom. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at Mount Hope Presbyterian Church. Family will receive friends an hour and a half, prior to the service for visitation. A Graveside service will take place at Wright Cemetery, Alma Michigan at 3:30 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Hope Presbyterian Church. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com