M. Gail (Bowler) Macks 88, of St. Clair Shores, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2024. Gail was born on November 9, 1935, in Detroit to Francis "Dutch" J. and Mary M. (Oster) Bowler. Gail grew up in Northwest Detroit and attended St. Scholastica School, Mercy High School, and Mercy College. She often spoke with pride about the fact that she could walk to school for the entire 16 years of her education. Gail graduated from Mercy College where she earned a B.A. in Sociology.
In 1946, when Gail and her brothers were quite young, their father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. After much prayer and a visit with Fr. Solanus Casey, Francis miraculously lived another 12 years and was able to see his children grow up. This impactful experience contributed to her devotion to her Catholic faith as well as to a lifelong focus on maintaining her and her family's good health. Later in life, Gail would become a runner, an activity that she did daily for 19 years, after which she transitioned to daily walks. For many decades Gail's sister-in-law, Karen Bowler, joined her for this exercise with weekly outings that always ended in lunch.
While at Mercy College, Gail would attend the Sodality at the University of Detroit where she would meet life long friends such as Audrey (Auer) Rutkowski, and Sue (Reamer) McMillan. Gail, who was a Detroit westsider, also met Victor "Vic" Walter Macks, who was from the east side of town. Gail and Vic became friends, fell in love and were married July 22, 1961, at St. Scholastica Church in Detroit.
Gail had traveled to Europe for six weeks in 1960 and was inspired to return there with Vic to work and explore new vistas. So, after the wedding, they began their 61-year adventure together by getting on a ship and traveling to Bridgend, Wales where Vic secured a job as a social worker. Gail and Vic were excited when they became expectant parents. The time in Wales though was cut short when Vic's mother became terminally ill, and they returned to Michigan. Just after their arrival home, the couple welcomed their first child, Brian Michael Macks, on July 9,1962. A short time later they welcomed their second child, Eric Victor Macks, born on September 26, 1963.
Gail was an awesome stay at home parent and a loving partner in her marriage. It is a role that came naturally to her as the oldest daughter of Mary and Dutch Bowler and the oldest of 57 first cousins. As the oldest, Gail was intimately involved with and was a guiding force for the entire Oster and Bowler families. Her Aunt Madalene and Gail formed a special bond early in their lives which became only stronger when Gail's mother died at a young age. The relationships from all the school years, from the many relatives, and from a lifetime of friendships, sustained and nurtured Gail's life. The center of these connections were coveted lunch outings with wonderful conversation. Gail had exceptional skill and found great joy and satisfaction in picking out the perfect greeting card, in finding just the right gift, in providing a special meal, or in hosting the perfect celebration for people. The Macks' household was a regular stop for Brian and Eric's friends, who found Gail engaged them with conversation filled with warmth, humor and grace. The anti-war effort and peace activism were both a focus for Gail's life and it was during this work she met her dear long time friend, Mary Lou Hogan.
Gail was employed as a claims rep for the Social Security Administration in Detroit, as a case worker for the State Agency on Aid to the Aged, and as a retail associate at Ideal Office Supply in St. Clair Shores, retiring in 1997.
Gail was an avid reader including reading the newspaper every morning, and she encouraged her kids and grandkids to read by always giving the perfect books. Gail utilized a book consultant in order to find the ideal reading material for her grandchildren. As a result, the grandchildren are avid readers and voraciously finish off books as quickly as they are gifted.
Gail was always very interested in and extremely proud of her Irish heritage and often reminded her kids that they were Irish. Gail attended many Irish concerts and in particular she enjoyed seeing the traditional Irish folk band The Chieftains. During the 1960 Europe trip, Gail met a future lifelong friend named Anne Dunne from Dublin and visited Ireland several times. She studied Irish genealogy and visited the Bowler family ancestral land near the town of Dingle, in County Kerry, Ireland. Family was very important to Gail and she maintained her relationship with the Bowler family in Vermont and the Norander family here in Michigan. Gail considered her brothers' children as her own and enjoyed visiting them and hearing their latest stories.
Gail and Vic enjoyed a very active life together. They held a 57 year summer tradition of vacationing with their children at Chimney Corners Resort on Crystal Lake in Northwest Michigan. They enjoyed attending Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts, hiking in the Smoky Mountains, and traveling the country to visit national parks and other beautiful vacation spots around the US. They maintained friendships with family and friends while on these trips. Gail kept meticulous check lists and contact information from dozens of people over a lifetime in order to stay in touch. St. Ignatius of Antioch church was an important part of Gail's life with a wonderful community of friends who shared her passion for social justice. Gail absolutely loved music and attended all of her grandchildren's concerts and recitals. The reality was that any event to do with the grandchildren was a priority to attend.
Gail was preceded in death by her husband Victor Walter Macks. Gail was the devoted mother of Brian (Janette Fleck-Macks) Macks of Shelby Township and Eric (Suzette LaVigne) Macks of Ann Arbor.
She is survived by five grandchildren: Justin, Trevor, Kaylin, Jacob and Evan, and her brother, E.J. "Ned" (Karen) Bowler. She is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Mary Bowler, and her brother Vincent Bowler.
Visitation Monday, May 20, 2024, 3-8pm, at AH Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 (prayer service at 7pm). Funeral mass Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 10am, St Lucy Catholic Church, 23401 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores. Mass will be broadcast live, and will be accessible by first opening the parish website at www.stlucychurch.com and clicking on the picture of Gail Macks which will appear on the website on the day of the Mass. The mass will also be recorded and archived on the St. Lucy Youtube channel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St., Detroit MI 48216 and to Doctors Without Borders.
We thank you for your presence today in remembering and celebrating the life of Gail Macks. Your sympathies, your prayers and support are deeply appreciated.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0