A celebration of life service for Kent School District teacher Gail Gese will be Saturday, March 4 at Sunset Bible Church in University Place.
The time is to be determined. The church is at 7909 40th St. W.
Gese, 66, who taught at Cedar Heights Middle School in Covington, was found fatally stabbed Feb. 1 at her Tacoma home. Pierce County prosecutors have charged her son Michael Gese, 31, with first-degree murder.
“We are shocked and saddened by this news,” Kent Superintendent Israel Vela posted in a message on the Kent School District website. “Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this devastating loss.”
Gese taught math, foods, fads and finance at Cedar Heights since 2011, and previously taught at Kent Phoenix Academy, Vela said.
“Every life is precious and every loss, especially one so unexpected, is a tragedy,” Vela said. “Our sincere condolences are extended to Mrs. Gese’s family and the Cedar Heights community as we keep them in our thoughts.”
Gese was born Dec. 18, 1956 in Portland, Oregon, according to her obituary posted on the New Tacoma Funeral Home website.
“She was a beautiful and generous soul who touched the lives of everyone she met,” according to the obituary.
Gese is survived by her husband, three children and four grandkids.
“She was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren,” according to the obituary.
Gese grew up in the Tacoma area. She graduated from Washington High School in Tacoma and then attended Washington State University in Pullman where she got her degree in recreation. After graduating, she met her husband while working at WSU. It was much later in her life when she went back to school and received her degree in education, and eventually a master’s degree.
“She loved teaching and touched the lives of countless students and co-workers,” according to the obituary. “On Feb. 1, 2023, Gail was unexpectedly taken from us. It is a great tragedy, but we remember Gail’s generosity and love of life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but we look forward to seeing her again in heaven.”
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