Karyn Klukos
My other mother. Man was she a good cook! She made the best family dinners and desserts. Her youngest grandchild’s first concern after she passed was “who is going to cook for us? No one knows how!” - an honest testament to her skill in the kitchen.
Gail put her family at the forefront of her life. After retirement, she invested her caretaking skills into her sister, checking in with her on the regular and making sure she kept her appointments. She never truly “retired”. She extended her joy of caring for others beyond healthcare and into home improvement projects. Shortly after purchasing our home, Gail made it her job to restore a section of our kitchen floor that was water/wear damaged. If you were to come visit us today, you can immediately tell where Gail worked her magic!
Every hunting season was home-improvement season in Gail’s eyes. Some years she simply replaced furniture and area rugs. This past year, she papered the dining room walls, transforming the room into a bright and inviting space to enjoy a meal.
I am going to miss having our children’s number one fan sitting in the audience at their events. I am going to miss the home cooked meals I didn’t have to prepare. I am going to miss the ways Gail spoiled me! She was my back-to-school shopper, my overnight childcare provider, my potluck meal contributor, and so much more.
Yeah, she wasn’t perfect. Yeah, we had our moments. But she became my other mother and I will miss her unconditional generosity.