Lucille "Lou" Ann Gentile

Lucille Ann Gentile, “Lou,” age 78 of Warren, died Friday, August 21, 2020 at Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Michigan. She was born August 19, 1942 in Detroit, daughter of the late Joseph John and Sophie Ann (nee: Bogdanski) Dayne.

Lou Gentile was born at St. Francis Hospital in Hamtramck during difficult times, but the bond that she had with her siblings, coupled with the love of God, provided her with strength and guidance. Her faith enabled her to ensure that the tasks of the day would get done.

Life rarely allowed Lou to be a child.  The responsibilities of her household required otherwise.  She assumed great responsibilities from an early age.  She had little time to be a child while she was being a second Mom after her father died when her siblings were young. Her mother, Sophie, was a single parent trying to provide the livelihood for her household, which meant many of the burdens of helping out around the house fell to Lou.  Even as a young woman, she took the initiative and did what needed to be done.

Her natural desire to care and teach and love was rewarded when she was able to attend Eastern Michigan University and receive her Teaching degree.  She became a Teacher, a profession she loved dearly.

What started out as just another night at the Woods Drive-In with a group friends actually led to a never-ending love story after Lou met Ken, who ultimately became her husband and the love of her life.  Ken and Lou showed others how to navigate the hard times and how to relish the good times.

They married, and their son Keith came soon thereafter.

With a young child at home and a husband in the Service, Lou began her career in a field she truly loved.  Teaching was a calling more than a job for Lou.

As the stability of life came gradually, Lou could finally to do what she valued most in her life, which was to be a mother.  She was able to stay home when her second child, Jamie was born and be a wonderful mother for both of her children.

She felt blessed.  Everything she had was given to her by God.  She loved her children and helped guide them through life.

The home she built provided a foundation not only for her, her children, and her husband, but was also a sanctuary for those in need.  Her door was always open.  Lou was always willing to reach out to others who were in need of a home and provide them with sanctuary.  No one ever felt like they were a burden to her or her household.  They were immediately part of it all.

Throughout her life, Lou cared for and helped many people.  Her empathy was endless which gave her joy.  She liked to help people and ease the suffering of others.  She provided whatever they needed.  She and Ken opened their house to so many people.  They were generous and caring and always ready to help.

Lou’s empathy allowed her to see what was needed, and she provided it.  This alone would be enough to provide a wonderful legacy, but her life was full of so much more.

Some of the fond memories from her strong-willed family included what became known as Troll University.  Lou was a founding member of Troll University, a response to her paratrooper husband.  Ken had met his match.  The man feared nobody but her.  The curriculum focused on teaching younger generations how to be strong and protective of those you love.  It encouraged younger generations to be more tenacious and stand strong, as emphasized in the song I Am Woman.

Lou always had an enthusiasm for life.  Family was most important to her, and she was a role model of how to be someone who loved with all of her heart.  When you were around her, you knew she was genuinely there for you.  She modeled a love of learning to her students and family.  She was a whiz at Trivial Pursuit, and encouraged people to be happy and to be the best person he or she could be.   One time she even saved her niece Lisa and son Keith from Zebu the lion, who was stalking them in the backyard.  Even the lioness met her match in Lou and ran for the hills to escape her wrath.

Most of us will remember Mama Lou, or Auntie Lou, as a woman who had a zest for life and loved to be around family and friends.  Whether she was teaching Thumper to nieces or nephews, or taking on her alias of Diamond Lil during family poker games, Lou was a woman who taught you how to value life, and live life with an amazing tenacity and passion for good times.

It was hard not to smile when you were around her.  While she was not afraid to tell you what she thought, it was difficult to be upset with her because her smile and love of life was infectious.

A friendship with Lou was for a lifetime.

Family was most important to her and she was a role model of someone who knew how to love. She had a genuine interest in her family and friends.

She was genuine.  She was Lou.  There was no pretension.

Many of Lou’s social activities revolved around socialization which included card games like pinochle, Euchre, and the fun of bowling.  Her love of card games did not extend to Solitaire, since it was group activities that truly energized her.

Although Lou rarely showed her competitive side, it was certainly there.  What once started out as a friendly card game turned into a day off of school for the kids since Lou kept them so late – because she insisted on continuing to play until she won the game! 

Lou loved joining Ken on trips in his truck when he was making his living as a semi -truck long hauler.  She enjoyed joining him whenever possible.

Once her children were raised and on their own, Lou returned to her calling of teaching which she enjoyed so much.  She considered herself blessed to become a third grade teacher at St. Florian’s.  The city of Hamtramck was surrounded by impoverished neighborhoods, and to her students she was so much more than merely a teacher.  She consulted a young girl who hated her appearance.  She sat down and spoke to that girl throughout the entire year and helped convince her that she was a worthy human being.  Once again, as the song I Am Women emphasized, a young woman is leading a fulfilling life because of her third grade teacher’s guidance.

Lou went above and beyond for her students to ensure that, not only were their academic needs met, but also their spiritual and emotional needs.

Whether it was coordinating the kitchen, baking pies for the St. Florian Strawberry Festival, or teaching in the classroom, Lou was instantly a welcome member of the Hamtramck community even though she lived far away.  She looked at her role as a teacher as more than a job.  The St. Florian community became her family, because that is who she was.

Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ken, daughter Jamie, and brother’s Jim and Michael Dayne.

After the death of her daughter Jamie, the worst tragedy a parent could ever experience, Lou was broken hearted.  All that came before paled in comparison to the devastating burden of the loss of her child. 

But Lou retained her hope and love.  Her inner strength and love of God gave her what she needed to continue for those still in her life.  She did it for her husband, son, nieces, and nephews.  Her family is what gave her the strength to move forward and continue.  There were still in the world those who needed and loved her.  No matter how challenging and daunting the task, Lou never had and never would turn her back on those who loved and needed her.

She was always a cherished Mother, Sister, Aunt, Wife, and Friend.  No smile was ever a struggle for Lou.  No I love you,… no I care for you,…no hug was ever a challenge for her, because that is who she was.  It was her nature, along with her love for God and her family.

Despite the fact that she became physically diminished in her golden years, she still continued with the virtues of love, loyalty, connection, and caring.

Lou never stopped being a mother even in her later years.  Her son could count on a call every night at precisely 7:00 pm to wish him a good night and make sure he knew she loved him.

After her recent health struggles, and her long and fulfilling life, Lou is at peace now, and back together in Heaven with her beloved daughter Jamie, and husband Ken.

Beloved wife of the late Kenneth. Dearest mother of Keith Gentile, and the late Jamie Gentile. Loving sister of Josie (Daniel) Bieke, the late James (the late Lonnie) Dayne,  the late Michael Dayne, and sister-in-law of Thomas (the late Sandra) Gentile, William (the late Sandy) Gentile, and the late Paul (the late Louise) Gentile. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Lou will be held Tuesday, August 25th from 6-8 pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren. 

Due to the Covid Pandemic and the church’s restriction on the number of attendees,…a Funeral Mass for PRIVATE FAMILY ONLY will be conducted Wednesday, 9:30 am at St. Rene Goupil Catholic Church in Sterling Heights.

Lou’s Committal Service & Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, approximately 11:00 am, where all are welcomed to join.

Memorial donations are appreciated to “Doctors Without Borders,” [email protected] or to www.doctorswithoutborders.org   

Please share memories of Lou at her guest book below.