Lois, Bil and I were close friends, during the war years and after.After I got out off the service we parted our ways, Bill chouse to work in the Detroit area, while I went on the road as a consultant, before going into management.Although I tried to contact Bill and Lois several times, I was not sucessful.  If Lois reads this I would like her to contact me . My phone no. is 1-803 - 781- 3488 I live in Columbia, S.C.     I remember Gail as a baby she was such a happy child always laughing.

My name is Bob Dexter. Gail is my sister.

On behalf of her immediate family, Richard her husband, Capella, Walter and Dale her children. On behalf of her siblings, Linda her sister, myself, and Lois her mother, we thank you for your attendance and support during this time.

There are many of you here who may only know her professionally. Let me share a bit about her personally. Gail is one of three children born to Bill and Lois Dexter. In the sibling line-up, Gail came first. Three years later, came Linda. Again three years later, I came along. We grew up in the suburb of Detroit in Royal Oak. Mom took care of the family while Dad took care of the business. Our vacations were spent in Boyne City, which is where Mom and Dad met as kids. Dad's family rented a cabin from Mom's family. The time spent on the lake was great with swimming, boating and water skiing all week long.

I will always remember Gail's first car, an Opal Cadet GT. I don't recall what year it was. One of her friends was in the air force and gave her a huge air force insignia which she applied to the hood of the car. Its stripes wrapped over the fenders almost to the wheel well. After that, there was no mistaking that car.

Gail, being the oldest was the first of the Dexter kids to get through high school. After that she attended college. Gail choose to leave before completion. And sometime after that met Richard and got married. I am terrible at remembering timelines, so I can't bore you with details.

Gail and Richard raised three children of their own, Capella came first, followed by the twins, Walter and Dale. I visited with Gail three days before she delivered them. She had just come from the doctor who told her she was having twins. She told me that every hour the twins stayed in was a blessing. Gail loved her family very much and was very devoted to them. Richard was not just her husband, but also her best friend.

Gail always enjoyed a game of cards or dice. Certainly I can attest to the fact that when the Dexter family got together, it wouldn't be long before the cards came out. One time, we were all on a family reunion at a fancy Cancun resort. The night life consisted of loud music, dancing and drinking. But then there was the Dexter family, at a corner table playing dice or Pepper (a card game much like your Euchre).

The three of us kids grew up into different views on life, on such topics as politics and faith. So much so, that it was useless to bring it up. We would just play more cards and laugh.

During most of her adult life, Gail worked as a waitress. She was very good at it. At some point, she looked into what it would take to complete her college degree, and it turned out that it would not take much to finish. So in1992, she competed her Bachelors degree at WSU. She taught for 5 years at Cass Tech, a school that our father attended when he was in high school. And by 1999, Gail earned her PhD in EER (Educational Evaluation and Research). Gail was a late bloomer in the pursuit of higher education, but once she latched on, there was no stopping her.

Many of you know Gail from her professional side, as a professor. To our father, work was very important. He gained a solid reputation for his mechanical engineering expertise. His services were sought after from a great many companies. Likewise, Gail must have absorbed that ethic, and it compelled her to excel in all she touched. Gail's desire for knowledge was so compelling, that at an age where most people are planning their impending retirement, she was secretly considering going back to school for yet more.

I have a copy of Gail's thesis on my bookshelf. It is by far the thickest of all my books, 518 pages, single sided and double spaced. I have been known to bring it out when I have math friends over. They are amazed by it and tell me that it is something that all statisticians should have a copy of.

When our father died many years ago, Gail, Linda and I all flew to Texas where Mom and Dad were vacationing. When we went to view Dad, Gail asked me to say a few words in the form of a prayer. She must have considered me the spiritual one of the siblings. I don't think she would mind if I said the same words here for her.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

Amen

Gail Dexter, Gail Fahoome, Prof Fahoome. Each an individual. All the same.

Thank you.

Dear Linda,  

I wrote out a card to you on Monday and mailed it, but wish I would have waited until after Gail's memorial service.  What an incredible woman!  What a humble woman!  How many of us really walk the walk instead of just talk the talk?  She and Richard really lived what they believed.  I admire them.  They have done so much for so many.  

Gail's accomplishments are unbelievable.  You had an Einstein walking among you and she never even bragged about it.  It seems as though she really had the right balance between love for her family and love of her work.  Being in that room with all the beautiful things being said about Gail and all the positive energy around us made me think about how important the Fahoome family has been to me.   

I can't imagine how many people have been touched by the Fahoome Family.  Your whole family has such a kind way with everyone.  I'm so happy that I grew up with you.  I love how it doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other that we just start up where we left off.  Your friendship means a great deal to me.  I don't know many people who have had a lifetime friend like you.

  Growing up in my house was different than your house.  I loved coming to your house (when Joe wasn't there, of course!) and hearing your mom sing.  Every week she would look through the school folders and saved them in the hall closet.  Every one of her children was special to her in their own way.  I loved to hear our mothers laugh and some of the Lucy and Ethel things that happened over the years are comical.  Your mother always had sweet names for everyone.

     Although I was afraid of your Dad when I was young (whenever Richard would answer the door to my calling out "Lindaaaa , Lindaaaa) he would tell me "Joe's home" because he knew I wouldn't come in and would laugh.  How many teen aged boys would actually take the friend of his little sister on a motorcycle ride up and down the street?  Some of my memories of Richard are his referring to your dad by his first name, having a car with the gas can inside (somehow it made the car work) and his being deathly afraid of spiders.  

I knew John much better than Richard because he was our babysitter.  Most babysitters would just watch TV or talk on the phone, but John actually spent time with us.  He taught me how to play a song on the piano and how to play chess.  I was always so afraid.  I remember you and I were at the show with John and I was scared because the movie was supposed to be scary and he showed me that it really wasn't frightening.  At one of the Jackson fairs, John was in the Haunted House in the Library.  When I walked in and saw him with "blood" all over I started crying.  He came out of the room and comforted me and showed me that it was just ketchup.  How many teen aged boys would do that?     

I always admired Joanne because she was "older" and knew how to do hair and have lots of fun.  She's always been such a social girl planning events and having a great time.  I can't picture her without a smile on her face.   

When  Henry and I were thinking of names for babies, we both liked the name Craig.  I was so happy to name our son Craig because of your brother.  Just like all the other Fahoomes, he is kind and gentle, yet he was always masculine.  His love of sports was incredible and he was always a team player.  

One of the young women who spoke at the memorial said she calls Capella, Smiley.  When Craig met Stephanie and we took some photos, that was the first thing I thought was that she has the Fahoome smiling eyes.  How great would it be to have someone like the Fahoomes in my family!  

You and John have done a great job yourselves.  Kristen is such a beautiful young woman.  I see so much of you in her and I'm sure all the children she works with are touched by her in a way that will help them throughout their lives.  Jack is adorable.  I can see why you're wild about both of them.  

There aren't any perfect families, but the Fahoomes have such a wonderful bond and the love and strength they can bring to each other in time of need is beautiful.  I'm sorry to go on and on, but I wanted you to know I love you and your beautiful family.  All of you have made an impression on my life.  

Take care, Patrice