Gayle Wise

1951 - 2023

Gayle Wise

November 2, 1951 - July 25, 2023

Gayle Wise, The Cheesecake Lady and hostess of multiple May Day parties, has left the building. One of Tulsa's most popular caterers, Gayle was a colorful character whose bright smile, generous spirit and infectious laugh lit up every room she entered.

 

She was part of the Dining Divas team for Tulsa People, teaming with Pat Kroblin, Glenda Silvey, Joan Hoar, the late Debbie Palazzo and the late Helen Jo Hardwick to review local restaurants. Her Cheesecake Lady catering company served thousands of delicious meals at local events and she was known for her generosity in donating to area non-profits.

 

Her May Day parties at her home were legendary. Invitations were casual and attendees often showed up only vaguely knowing Gayle and left with a raft of new friends. The towering Maypole with its blue and white ribbons stood waiting until an hour or so after the party's start and then Gayle gathered the troops and enjoined everyone who was brave or foolhardy enough to join her at the pole. As the Queen of May, Gayle gave very explicit directions and then the music started and two dozen tipsy people with a streamer in one hand and a drink in the other began slowly weaving the pattern of the Maypole. Phone cameras came out all over the yard. Childhood memories were revisited and sometimes a careless party-goer was lashed to the pole but Gayle's laughter rang through it all.

 

Gayle Wise was born on November 2, 1951, to Roscoe and Hazel Addy Wise in Evansville, Indiana. She attended Harrison High School, where she wrote for the high school newspaper. She moved to Tulsa in 1974, where she worked as a teacher at Mason High School and for the legendary Nine of Cups before finding her true calling as a caterer and started "The Cheesecake Lady." She passed away on July 25, 2023, in Tulsa, OK, and is survived by her brother Michael, her sister, Janis, her nieces Leah Marie Wise and Korie Ann Stanski, and her great nieces, June Stanski and Bailey Grace Klount.

 

Gayle started every month by reminding her friends to say "rabbit, rabbit" and to make a wish. She was strong willed, independent, smart, funny, loving and loved. She fought cancer so long, so diligently, so confidently that none of us dreamed that she could be defeated. In the end, she gave in with that Southern graciousness that marked her every interaction and stepped over on her own terms.

 

Please join us for a party in honor of Gayle. One of her final requests was a party, not a funeral. Bring your favorite food and your favorite Gayle story. Rabbits, memories and laughter.

 

Saturday, September 16, 2023

2 pm to 5 pm

 

VFW Post 577

1109 East 6th Street, Tulsa

(Park on either side of the building or behind it. Come in the main door on 6th Street.)

 

Potluck * Cash Bar

 

Donations in Gayle's honor made be made to Feeding the Pets of Tulsa's Homeless at https://www.fpth.org/