Gail S. Oom

Gail Oom was destined to make her mark in the hearts of her cherished family and friends. She was kind, gracious and full of hope, firmly devoted to both her family and her faith. Gail was content to live in the moment, appreciating the family, friends and events that brought her life incredible joy. The 1950s marked a quieter, more stable time in American history, especially after the turbulent 40s. It was a good time to grow up in America, and because of the baby boom, schools and neighborhoods were bursting at the seams with children. Gail Oom was among those children. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, on February 12, 1954, she was the youngest of two daughters born to Robert and Shirley (Revord) Potter. Along with her older sister, Darlene, Gail was raised in a loving Catholic home at 1127 Apple Avenue in Muskegon. Her parents both worked outside the home to provide for their family her father sold car parts while her mother worked for Mattson Oldsmobile. Gail was a very bright young lady who loved to read and was very talented with the accordion. For education, she attended St. Joseph Elementary School and then attended Steele Jr. High, where she was a cheerleader and hung around with her best friend, Lisa Buitendorp. Gail was extremely shy until she reached high school, and then she came out of her shell and loved to go to the beach with her good friends, Mary Ellen and Max, and attend dances at the Ovals with her many boyfriends. Gail also began making her own clothes and won several awards for her excellent craftsmanship. Gail graduated from Muskegon High School in 1972, and moved 3 days after graduation to St. Petersburg, Florida. Here, she found work as a medical transcriptionist for the next 4 years. In 1977, Gail moved back to Muskegon, settling in a home in East Muskegon, and became a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints of Spring Lake. Here, she was active as a PTA counselor, working with teens, and served as a past President of the Relief Society. She used her amazing musical talents in church as well, playing the accordion and keyboard. As fate would have it, Gail met her beloved husband, Fred Oom, in church and it wasnt long before they were happily married on October 23, 1993. Gail was the proud mother of three sons: Jeremy, Adam and Joel, who brought her great pride and joy. She loved to cheer on her one son at his football games (he graduated in 2009), and she was actively involved with another of her sons who was in the Grand Valley Marching Band. Gail also participated with the Orchard View Band Parents and was the secretary for the Booster Club. Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Gail worked as a medical transcriptionist at the Hackley and General Hospital for a time before taking a transcriptionist job with Westshore Family Medicine, where she remained for the last 11 years. In 2005, Gail became extremely sick with viral meningitis, from which she eventually recovered, but then developed Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, which is similar to Bells Palsy. Gail consequently lost her hearing from it destroying her inner ear, and although the doctors said she would never hear again she did! Gail had a true fighting spirit she never complained or even asked why me. Gail was later diagnosed with lung cancer, and everyone from the office staff and doctors gave her tremendous support and encouragement in these difficult times. She found the greatest joy in her family, especially her precious grandchildren, and a sure fire way to bring a smile to her face was to bring her red roses, yellow daisies or carnations, her favorite flowers. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Gail Oom was a ray of sunshine for those close enough to receive the gift of her warmth. She will be dearly missed. Gail S. Oom, age 55, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2009. She is survived by her husband, Fred; sons, Jeremy (Jackie) Hartman of Holland, Adam Hartman of Muskegon, Joel Hartman of Muskegon; stepsons: Joshua (Lea) Oom of Lansing, Justin Oom of Muskegon, RJ (Emily) Oom of LA; stepdaughter, Hope (Kurt) Vanbennekom of Belding; grandchildren, Logan, Zachary, Lillian; mother, Shirley Potter of Muskegon; and sister, Darlene (Jim) Beck of Muskegon. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Potter. Services will be held on Monday, June 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Spring Lake with Bishop Robert Roll officiating. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. and on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson Cancer Center. Please visit Gails memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory/thought with her family or sign her online guest book.