Gayle Wingerter

Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home

YAKIMA - Gayle Wingerter, a veteran teacher with the Yakima School District, longtime education advocate and loving wife, mother and grandmother, died on Monday, August 12. She was 65 years old.

Gayle was born to the late Howard and Shirley Westbrook on October 27, 1947. She learned to sew at an early age -- a necessity for a 5’11” Montana girl of the era, and a passion she carried with her throughout her life. Her homemade costumes starred in Halloween contests and school plays, and her quilts have become family treasures.

Gayle graduated from Highline High School in Burien in 1965, and spent two years at Highline Community College, where she was crowned the Kan E’ Yas O Queen in 1967. Gayle later obtained her bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University, where she met the love of her life, Frank Wingerter.

Gayle spent 31 years working for the Yakima School District, touching countless students’ lives as a teacher at Castlevale and Nob Hill Elementary Schools. Gayle rarely made a trip to the grocery store or mall without running into an appreciative former student or parent, which both drove her family crazy and made them deeply proud.

Gayle was honored to represent her peers as President of the Yakima Education Association, and remained a strong advocate for public education throughout her life. In retirement she served on the board of the Yakima Schools Foundation and worked to coordinate school district book sales at Inklings Bookstore.

Gayle will be remembered for her deep compassion for people, particularly children. Many of her former students maintained their relationship into adulthood, and she always connected with young people on her many travels, including Mexico, Italy, and Turkey.

In addition to her passion for sewing, Gayle had a love of reading, travel, baking, crafts, and -- in particular -- Zillah girls’ basketball. Her deep commitment to social justice was a guiding moral force in her life, and her pies were legendary.

She is survived by her husband, Frank, her daughter and son-in-law Danielle and Shawn Myers of Selah, her son, Eric, of Washington, DC, and her beloved granddaughters Caitlin and Abbie Myers, of Selah. She is also survived by her brother, Craig Westbrook of Yakima, his wife Marie, as well as brothers- and sisters-in-law Conrad and Janet Wingerter, Vicki and Henry Furtner, Greg and Pam Hinkley, and Dick and Sandy McDonald, all of Yakima, fourteen nieces and nephews, and thousands of students who will never forget the mark she left on their lives.

According to Gayle’s wishes, there will be no funeral, but the family will plan a life celebration in the fall, and will place an announcement in the Yakima Herald-Republic so that all who loved her can join us to share a favorite memory. In lieu of flowers Gayle would want you to read a damn book for a change. Donations to the Yakima Schools Foundation or the charity of your choice would also be appreciated. To celebrate the life of Gayle and share memories visit lmfuneralhome.com.