Gayle Patricia Miller (Johnson), was born in Detroit MI, November 6th 1949 and left us peacefully in her sleep at home in Kirkland WA November 4th, 2013. Gayle was the second of five children of the late William and late Betty Miller. As a child she was always very independent and adventurous. Her father often referred to Gayle as “No Fear “. Gayle graduated from Western Michigan University with a BA in Education. After gaining valuable experience teaching inner city kids in Detroit, her sense of adventure lead her from the Midwest to the West Coast, away from her family.
Upon her arrival in California, she took a job as a reading consultant with Laidlaw Publishing Co., giving her the opportunity to travel and explore the USA and various parts of the world. Her travels eventually led to her meeting and marrying Ned G. Johnson. Their union, while brief, produced their only child Matthew Ryan. After their divorce, Gayle went on to raise her son as a single parent. She returned to teaching so she could spend more time with her beloved son, Matthew. While teaching full time, she earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle University.
Gayle taught at Hazelwood Elementary in the Edmonds School District for over 20 years, shaping the minds of hundreds of students. Her passion was always children and teaching. Later in life when her health began to decline, doctors tried to encourage her to retire; she would not listen and there was no one who could stop her from doing what she loved most and what gave her life meaning.
Gayle is survived by her son Matthew Ryan Johnson (fiancée Lisa Healow), her siblings: Mary Mach (John), Janet Miller, William Miller and Patricia Leone as well as 10 nieces and nephews and numerous friends, especially Noreen Bylsma.
Gayle was a true fighter until the very end, enduring and rallying through countless surgeries and respiratory challenges. Anyone who knew Gayle knew she always did it her way.
A funeral mass and a celebration of Gayle’s life will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 16th at
Holy Family Catholic Church
7045 120th Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98033
Burial will be held privately on Monday November 18th at Sunset Hills Memorial Park.
In memory of Gayle, donations to the Gayle Johnson School Supply Fund, for books and school supplies for the children, would be most appreciated. Checks can be made out to “Hazelwood PTA” and sent to
Hazelwood Elementary
3300 204th St SW
Lynwood, WA 98036