Annette Basgall Gordon

Annette was born in Hays, Kansas on the 4th of September 1940, to Winifred and Virgil Anthony Basgall. Her family moved to Junction City, Kansas, where she graduated from Junction City High School in 1958. She attended the University of Kansas and graduated from Emporia State Teachers College in 1962. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and earned her degree in elementary education.

Annette loved her years as a teacher, most especially kindergarten. She had a gift of connecting with children to make learning memorable and exciting. It was while teaching in Kansas City that she met her husband of sixty years, Daniel Paul Gordon. They married in 1965, moved to Florida where he operated a number of his family’s jewelry stores, and then eventually moved to Houston to start a family.

Annette truly cherished her role as a mother. From being a room mom, to planning parties for her children and their friends, cooking meals for a crowd, baking cakes to send overnight to them in college and taking her kids and their friends on ski trips to Colorado over spring break, she truly delighted in the gift of being their mom. She continued this legacy as she loved and supported her six grandchildren over the years as well. She devoted countless hours building family traditions, attending dance recitals and basketball games, and creating memories for them with her beautiful meals gathered around the table during the holidays.

Annette was loyal to and supportive of a number of organizations including her children’s schools, Covenant House Texas, the Houston Alumnae Panhellenic Association, and the National Society of the Colonial Dames. Furthermore, she enjoyed travel, needlepoint, her Bible Study lessons, and anniversary trips to Europe she and Danny took together.

Annette is preceded in death by her husband, Danny.

She is survived by her loving children, Kevin Andrew Gordon and his wife Amy, Jason David Gordon and his wife Jennifer; and Marcy Gordon Young and her husband Mark; and six grandchildren, Caroline and Wyatt Gordon, William and Maribelle Gordon, and John and Virginia Young. She is also survived by her brother, Virgil Francis Basgall of Topeka, Kansas; her sister, Marilyn McAlister and her husband Rodger; and their family all of Louisville, Kentucky.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Audrie, her devoted caregiver, and the incredible team at The Hallmark for the exceptional care they provided.

A private graveside service to celebrate her life is to be held at Beth Israel Memorial Garden in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, memorial contributions may be directed to Emporia State University Foundation (The Virgil and Winifred Basgall Scholarship), 1500 Highland Street, Emporia, Kansas 66801, or to a charity of your choice.

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