Gayle J. Doornbos

Gayle J. Doornbos, a Fort Wayne native, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was 97 years old. She was born Gayle J. Scott, the youngest daughter of Robert and Lillian Scott of Edgewater Avenue and the beloved younger sister of Roberta Jean Scott.

Gayle graduated from Northside High School and then attended the University of Indiana at Bloomington, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1947. She earned two Master's Degrees in Education from Purdue University in 1950 and Adams State College in Colorado in 1970. In 1955 Gayle married Dr. Roy Doornbos, Jr. of Michigan. Roy was an All-American football player in college and also an educator. Their education careers took them to Flint, Michigan; Whitewater, Wisconsin; and Alamosa, Colorado, before returning to Fort Wayne in 1975. Gayle and Roy loved to travel, first across the US and later to Europe. Roy passed away in 1994. In the 1970’s Gayle left education and became a real estate broker. She was one of the original partners in Century 21 Bradley Realty in Fort Wayne. Gayle was active in real estate sales into her late 80s, and she was particularly passionate about guiding young, first time owners through the home purchase process. She continued to follow the real estate market right up until her passing, providing up-to-date insights to her niece, nephews, and friends at her 97th birthday in July. Gayle and Roy did not have children, but they took great pride and delight in the children of her sister, Jean, and their families. Gayle was unwavering in her Christian faith, marveling at the long life God gave her. Her friends and family were constantly in her prayers, especially in times of need.

She is survived by her niece, Janet L. Murley of Cincinnati, Ohio; nephews, Robert Scott Murley and his wife, Mary P. Murley of Lake Forest, Illinois, and Thomas Scott Murley and his wife, Elizabeth Murley of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; grand-nieces, Mary M. Doyle of Lake Forest, Illinois, and Megan M. Olson of Lake Bluff, Illinois; grand-nephew, Robert Scott Murley, Jr. of Lake Bluff, Illinois; and 6 great-grandnieces and nephews.

A funeral services to honor Gayle's life and legacy will be held at 11:15 am on Monday, October 31, 2022, at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, with calling from 10:30am, until time of service. She will be laid to rest at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

In addition to her love of family, education, and real estate, as the daughter of a World War I veteran, Gayle was in awe of and honored by America’s servicemen and women. In lieu of flowers, Gayle’s family requests that donations in her name be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Gayle's family may be shared at www.McCombandSons.com.