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Gail Patricia Bootsma
1945 - 2017
Gail Patricia Bootsma
1945 - 2017
Obituary
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Gail Bootsma Obituary
Gail was born in Pomona, California on June 1, 1945. She attended Ganesha High School in the Pomona Unified School District where she graduated in 1962. After graduation, she became involved in the banking business where she worked for twenty two years, eventually rising to become Vice President of the First Trust Bank of Pomona.
In1974 Gail married Jim Bootsma and they started a dairy with 120 cows which has grown to become a successful dairy business in the Hemet valley. Gail has been an important part of the Hemet community for many years and was much beloved by her many friends and acquaintances. She loved to travel and has visited Europe and many places such as, Mexico and Alaska, as well as spending many happy summers at her house on the Colorado River in Parker, Arizona with family and friends.
Gail always had a deep love for her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Thanksgiving and Christmas were always major events at the Bootsma house, which everyone looked forward to throughout the year. Gail had a special love for her grandchildren with whom she never tired of being around and spoiling whenever possible. Those closest to Gail knew her to be hard working and practical, yet always kind and generous.
Gail is survived by her husband Jim, her brother Gary and sister Cathy, her daughter Tammy and Michael, her son. She has two grandsons, Tony and Jacob, as well as two granddaughters, Miley and Madison.
Gail Bootsma was a great spirit and will forever be remembered with love and respect by all who knew her.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Miley Bootsma
December 26, 2017
I miss Grandma Gail. One of the things I loved doing with you was baking chocolate chip cookies and going out with you to Sizzler with Papa. One of my favorite memories was watching my big Hatchimal pick out of the egg - the one you bought me for my birthday - you watched it with me.
Madison Bootsma
December 26, 2017
I miss you Grandma Gail. I liked snuggling with you while watching TV and doing the Macarena with you. I loved playing Old Maid with you - you were the Old Maid once. I liked eating your See Candies all the time.
Essie Bootsma
December 21, 2017
I will miss Gail terribly,she was my kindred spirit,as Gail and I are married to the same kind of men. Also if anyone ever had a chance to be a guest in her home she not only made sure you had a wonderful time she fed you like you would not eat the next day! Gail was truly a special person and special sister-in-law to me.my heart will always be with you.Essie
John and Cathy Marchesi
December 20, 2017
Remembering years of a cherished friendship cut short much too soon. Our times together at First Trust Bank, poker games, Las Vegas trips and most recently Colorado river trips, have provided so many wonderful memories. These memories will live in our hearts forever as will her beautiful laugh. Gail was one special lady. May we meet in God's kingdom once again. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time and in the months to come. We are here should you need us.
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December 19, 2017
Rest in peace
Tiffani DE Crisce
December 19, 2017
My family and I are so blessed to have spent quality time with you on the cruise! We keep you and your family in our prayers. We are lucky to have known you, Gail, and you will be missed. Thank you for your continuous generosity. And thank you for being you. WE LOVE YOU ❤
Alicia Aguilar
December 18, 2017
The Lord is my sheperd I shall not want he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name sakr. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.
Mary Wilson
December 18, 2017
My heart goes out to Tammy and her family ❤Gail was a wonderful soul. I met her when I was 10 years old . Tammy and I were in grade schoool together , we were Inseparable. I always got to spend Friday nights at the Bootsma house , so much fun . Gail would always take us to McDonald's for dinner . I would go shopping with them , I got to swim in there pool , as time went on I got to know the whole family then got to spend time with the Bootsmas at the beach house with Gail's mom and dad . Then I married Gail's nephew and became part of the family . I have many wonderful childhood memories of Gail and Jim , Tammy and Michael . Gail will be truly missed , she's one classy lady ❤. Memories ! No one can take those away . I love you Gail ,
Those we love don't go away , they walk beside us every day , unseen , unheard and always near still loved still missed and very dear ❤. Rest in paradise pretty lady .
Ray and Melanie Rutter
December 17, 2017
We are so sorry for your loss. Gail will be missed by all whose life she touched. Loved having her as a neighbor at the river and hearing about all her adventures. Will miss her amazing laughter and smile.The Bootsma family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Michelle Neely
December 17, 2017
My prayers are with you all sincerely your friend always Michelle Neely
Lynda Christy
December 16, 2017
Your mom and I go way back to First Trust Bank. We worked together for many years and became long time friends. I knew something was wrong when I didn't get her Christmas Card the day after Thanksgiving! She was so proud of her kids and oh did she love those grandkids! She will be sorely missed but I'm so glad we have the blessed assurance that we will see her again one day. God must have needed to hear a lot of laughter and knew Gail would't let Him down! Bless you and take care of Jim. My prayers are for your comfort and strength in the coming months.
Vicky and Louie Moons
December 16, 2017
Gail was such a sweet and strong lady! She will truly be missed by many. We remember all the great Bootsma Christmas parties that Jim and her hosted. Always made us feel so welcome. She made the best Potato Casserole that I will always think of her when I make it. The river trip to their river house is still one of my favorites. May you be at peace, our sweet sister-in-law
Travis Kosht
December 16, 2017
Im Sorry for your loss. I love you guys. May god comfort you and your family during this time of greif. Were gonna miss you Gail, no one is ever gonna be quite like you. Love Travis.
Debbie Blankenship
December 15, 2017
May loving memories bring you peace, strength and comfort, today and always. Gail will be so greatly missed. With caring thoughts and love - Debbie Blankenship
December 15, 2017
Our deepest sympathy to Jim and her family.. We will miss her SO much..I can hardly believe we won't see her again.. Loved all the fun times we had with her and Jim..till we meet again..Hockey and Sharon
Squeaker Bootsma
December 15, 2017
And now you sit, in awesome grace,
With his gaze upon your soul.
You're with our Lord, destination complete.
And for once you're totally whole
The pain is gone, you've done your job,
But left us all too soon.
Your memory shines right through the loss
And your smile now lights up the moon.
And even though it's been awhile,
I've always liked your charm.
You were there no matter what
Offering up a helpful arm.
So now I say good bye my friend
With you my thoughts reside,
And even though I'm not right there
YOU KNOW how I felt inside.
RIP my friend
Squeaker
leslie bootsma
December 15, 2017
my heart is broken,Gail was so beautiful inside and out .I always looked up to her ,she was one of the classiest ladies I knew
Matt Scherer
December 15, 2017
The first time I met Gail was in 1994, I was 10 years old. She pulled up in her silver Mercedes Benz to pick up her grandson Tony and I, at the designated carpool pickup location for all the dairy kids who also went to Redlands Christian School. I was a city boy excited to spend the weekend with my new friend Tony on Jim Bootsma Dairy racing go-carts, riding quads, and shooting shotguns. Sporting her signature short hair, stylish sunglasses, khaki shorts and white golf shirt, which she always pulled off with classy confidence, she stepped out of her Benz with a warm grin. As Tony and I walked over to her she asked, You boys ready? I don't know if I said something she thought was funny, or if it was just the look of excitement on my face, but at that moment I got to hear her laugh for the first time. I had the privilege to hear Gail's contagious laugh regularly for the next 12 years of my life.
From that first weekend on Gail and Jim's dairy she treated me like family. I spent so much time with them that I felt like family. My own grandparents were great, but Gail was AWESOME! Through my teenage years I grew such a fondness of her that I can honestly say I viewed and loved her like she was my mother. Gail taught me how to play keno when I was 12, was driving the boat the first time I got up on water skis, and was the first person to make me leave a movie theater halfway through a film (Gail and Jim took us to see Casino thinking it wouldn't be to bad, but after the second onscreen mobster killing, Gail came up to Tony and I and said, Alright boys, enough of that, let's go!) I guess she decided it was a little much for a 10 and 11-year-old LOL!
Gail had a presence that was undeniably comforting in any situation or setting. When she was around I'd feel like everything was going to be okay. Even when Tony and I did something that really ticked her off, which happened from time to time, she still evoked the feeling that I was safe. Like with any mother figure, the thing I feared the most was disappointing Gail, which also happened from time to time. Like any well-adjusted human being she would judge you based on your actions, but she never held it against you. If you were lucky enough to experience Gail's love you know that she didn't keep score. Her understanding and forgiveness was endless!
Tony's grandma had a rich life full of friends, family, and laughter. For those of us who had the honor to spend time with her those warm memories will never fade! I am very sad, for the world lost an amazing woman, but her fun spirit will never be forgotten by anyone who truly knew her. She's hitting jackpots and hole-in-ones right now in heaven!
How lucky we all are to have had Gail Bootsma as a mother and friend!
Doan Ha
December 15, 2017
Gail you will be missed. It's really hard for me to comprehend that you're no longer with us. although I've only known you for a short time, it's seems like I've known you forever. You are kind, gentle funny generous loving soul. I hope wherever you are that you are at peace. I love you Gail
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