Gail Currin (nee Johnston) died at home, surrounded by family on September 21, 2026 at the age of 73. Although her passing was far too soon, she lived a full life, with her family always at the center. Gail is survived by Glenn, her husband of 51 years, with whom she built a life filled with love, adventure and travel. She was the proud mother of Laura Salter, Lindsey Currin and Alexander Currin, and an attentive grandmother to Maya Salter. She was a beloved sister to Roger (Beth) Johnston, Rita (Randy) Berndt, Keith Johnston and Jill Johnston, and a cherished sister-in-law to Eric (Carol) Currin and Kathy Currin. Gail was also a devoted aunt to Todd Johnston, Polly Johnston, Amber (Courtney) Berndt, Mark (Amanda) Berndt, Garrett Johnston and Blake (Emily) Johnston, as well as to six grandnieces and grandnephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Elton and Ella Gene (Foglesong) Johnston, Gail remained closely connected to her large extended family through regular reunions. Gail grew up in Chesaning, MI graduating from Chesaning Union High School. At their recent 55-year reunion, her classmates remembered her as “loving, kind and always helpful.” After earning her degree at Ferris State in 1973, she began her dental hygiene career that spanned more than 40 years. Her colleagues became close friends, and her many patients valued her kindness and consideration. Gail and Glenn started their life together in Midland, moving to Birmingham, MI in 1981 and after more than four decades in the Birmingham and Bloomfield area, they relocated to Traverse City in 2025. Northern Michigan has always held a special place in their lives: what began as a honeymoon destination grew into a lifetime of family memories. At the family cottage in the Leelanau, Gail skied at Sugar Loaf, watched her children grow up on the beaches of Good Harbor, sailed on Lake Leelanau and shared ice creams with her granddaughter. She also made annual pilgrimages to Mackinac Island with close friends to welcome sailors completing the Port Huron–Mackinac races. The move north offered a more relaxed way of life, and Gail embraced this new chapter. Gail soon became a regular volunteer with PoWeR Book Bags, a charity focused on empowering children through language, literacy and human interaction, where she could put a bit of her textile skills to use. Gail’s generosity extended throughout her community. For more than 40 years, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Michigan, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon and Elder. Her service included tutoring at Alcott Elementary School and joining mission work trips to rural Appalachia. An avid reader, Gail belonged to many book clubs and was a devoted patron of local libraries. Many of the causes she supported promoted literacy and expanded access to books for young readers. Gail was remarkably creative in her hobbies of sewing, knitting and weaving. Generous with her talents, she made original pieces for friends and family that will be treasured for years to come. Her Halloween costume designs gained an international following and might well have become a second career. The baby blankets and hats she knitted gave hundreds of newborns a cozy start, regardless of their circumstances. Gail loved exploring new destinations and travelled extensively. In addition to regular visits to London and other parts of the United Kingdom, her most memorable journeys took her to Australia, France, Spain, Scotland, Ireland and the Caribbean, as well as scores of cities and national parks across the United States and Canada. As a neighbor, Gail was committed to building close relationships. Whether this was through childcare cooperatives in the early years, or a reliable contribution to festive cookie exchanges, her contributions led to true friendships and a sense of tight knit community. Gail is universally described as kind, bighearted and always attentive to others. These qualities made her a valued friend and a dearly loved member of her extended family. She will be forever missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those wishing to honor Gail’s memory to consider a donation to First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Michigan, or PoWeR Book Bags, P.O. Box 533, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. https://www. powerbookbags.org/ A Memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham on December 28, 2026.