Obituary of Nancy Agnes Gale

You better be able to ride a Harley in Heaven – and if you can – there had better not be registration – she never kept up on that (her personal best was 3 years).  If being in Heaven doesn’t get you 50-yard line tickets to every UofM Football game, then this is really a rip off.  Nancy dedicated her whole life to her family, friends, and career and she deserves all of this. 

Nancy entered the gates of heaven on July 2, 2025, where her parents and brother were waiting for her.  She hadn’t seen her daddy since she was just 14 years old and she was his baby.  He’s been waiting for her for a long time.  The profound sadness she experienced when she lost her mother – all immediately relieved.  If record players are still a thing, Jerry had Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven, blasting for sure.  After her reunion, she would have immediately gone to find Robert Hickey – who is likely lost on an adventure – and she definitely wanted to go.  The chaos that ensued after this – well, let’s just say they weren’t goody two shoes.  In Heaven, there is a party. 

Nancy Agnes Gale, 61, of Saginaw, MI, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, after a 15-week battle with lung cancer that has left her family in awe of her strength.  As one can imagine, Nancy fought until she couldn’t – we wouldn’t have expected anything less.  Nancy was born June 11, 1964, in Saginaw, MI, to Owen and Mary Gale (Hill).  She was a graduate of Arthur Hill High School, class of 1983.  She gave birth to her only child when she was just 17 years old and was Terilynn’s greatest support and cheerleader her entire life.  It didn’t matter how large Terilynn’s visions were or how crazy her ideas sounded – Nancy believed she could do anything.  The confidence she instilled in her is the reason Terilynn is who she is today.  They were “sharers”, sarcasm queens, and honestly, best friends.  The pride she felt for the woman she raised could only have been exceeded by the pride she felt in her grandchildren, who were her everything.  If you never heard her brag about her fab five, then you must not have really known her.  

Kaylin was Grandma’s sidekick, her sleepover buddy, and who she looked for every time she needed anything.  Reminding her so much of herself in her younger years, Taylor got her grandma’s fierce spirit – being the family protector, taking no nonsense from anyone.  The “golden child”, Makenzie, was her sweetest girl and could do no wrong in grandma’s eyes.  Grandma was the only person who let Sydney be her crazy self, in true form, all the time, and thought it was hilarious.  Elijah could do absolutely anything he wanted because “he’s just a baby” (he’s not a baby).  He was one of grandma’s greatest motivators during her illness – all she wanted was to extend her life long enough to be able to see her boy play sports – something she talked about since before he was born.  She had wanted a grandson her whole life.  She wasn’t the type of grandma who would crochet you a blanket or braid your hair – she was the type of grandma who would tell you why you shouldn’t make this bad decision (because she had already done it) and then educate you on how to do it right if you’re going to do it anyway. 

If two siblings could have been any more different – well, they couldn’t.  MaryAnn and Nancy were polar opposites yet shared a bond that was impossible to break.  Nancy might have driven MaryAnn crazy with her antics, but Mare was still right there to fix everything once it was done.  MaryAnn became the matriarch of the family after their mother’s passing and Nancy depended on her to fill that role.  Through each of their cancer battles, they were pillars of strength for the other.  Neither of them could imagine a world without the other.

She leaves behind a work family that meant so much to her.  Her current coworkers at Community Village and former coworkers at St. Francis Home, fondly remember her for humor, advice, amazing food, and caring nature.  Nancy spent the last 25+ years taking care of residents in long term care and assisted living facilities – making their favorite dishes and ensuring mealtimes were about more than just eating good food.  She made a point to connect with her residents, really know them, and individualize their meals to make them feel special.  She never asked for recognition or thought this was special – but it was – she was a life changer.  When she fell ill, she was more worried about her residents thinking she abandoned them than she was about never being able to work again.  If this doesn’t speak to her true character, nothing does. 

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Terilynn Harrison; grandchildren, Kaylin Bradshaw, Taylor Bradshaw, Makenzie Harrison, Sydney Harrison, and Elijah Jones; sister, MaryAnn (Curt) Thon; brothers, James (Patricia) Gale, and William Gale; nieces Sarah (Caleb) Johnston, April (James) Severance, Elizabeth (Jeremy) Fagan; Andrea (Nathan) Jacques; nephew Alexander Gale; great nephews Ethan Johnston, Emerson, Evan, and Elliott Jacques; great niece Isabella Fagan; life-long friends Lora Kietzman and Laura Maslowski.  Her companion Abby is lost without her.    

She was predeceased by her parents, Owen and Mary Gale, brother Gerald Gale, special aunt Gertrude (GoGo) Gale, sister-in-law Elise Gale, special friends Robert Hickey and Michael Myers, the dog of all dogs – Charlotte, Mooch – her cat who wasn’t her cat, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles. 

Her family would like to extend the sincerest gratitude to her care team – with specific acknowledgments to Dr. Houman Nourkeyhani, her medical oncologist who gave her hope, Dr. Avi Cohen, who was able to achieve the unachievable with his surgical skill, and Dr. Toby Long, her primary care physician, who helped Terilynn navigate end of life and decision-making with a grace that only he could provide.  The staff at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw were incredible.  The team on Cooper 7N SICU listened and executed when Terilynn asked for a peaceful homegoing without fear for her sweet momma.  So, to Dr. Omer Mirza, Kevin Darby, NP, and Jenna K, RN - you made that possible - thank you.  We are eternally grateful. 

If you’ve made it this far, you loved her – so we want you to join us for a celebration of her life.  In true Nancy fashion, there will be no funeral, there will be a party.  Food, music, probably a drink or two, and lots of laughter and love.  Friday, August 1, 2025 at 3 PM at American Legion 5190 Weiss St. Saginaw, MI 48603.   Come with your favorite Nancy story – we want to hear all of them!  

To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com. Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid-Michigan.