The world lost a joyful, classy, and accomplished woman on Friday, November 8th, and it will forever be a little less colorful without her. Gail Belz, a well-known figure in U.S. furniture manufacturing circles, died peacefully in her San Francisco home after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was 86.
Gail was born in Chicago in 1938, but spent most of her childhood in Memphis, Tennessee, after moving there with her family at age six. She attended Vollentine, Snowden, and Central High. She continued her education at the University of Alabama and later worked for a family-owned furniture store in Memphis. In 1962, Gail joined two friends, Dotsie and Gerald, on an adventurous cross-country road trip culminating in the City by The Bay. Immediately, they were sold! Shortly after their vacation, the three pals packed up and returned to live in San Francisco - permanently.
Gail's first - and last - job in her 36-year career was with Lenoir Associates, a furniture showroom in San Francisco's Western Furniture Exchange and Merchandise Mart (now Market Square). Though she started as a receptionist, Gail quickly climbed the ladder and eventually became the company's owner. (Of course, she did!) Later, she relocated the business to the hip SF Design Center.
Gail was deeply involved in the stewardship of the furniture industry, serving as a long-time board member and President of the IFDA (International Furnishings and Design Associates). She was also an active member of Variety, a charity that transforms the lives of children around the world who are sick, disadvantaged, or live with disabilities.
But Gail was not all work and no play. Quite the contrary. She was a seasoned globe-trotting traveler. One of her most memorable trips not too long ago was to Japan with a group of friends, where they learned about silk production for kimonos. Gail looked grand in them, and her favorite is proudly displayed in her home.
As Gail had a passion for work, she also had a passion for life. She lived hers with joy. She saw life as an adventure and forged an unconventional path for a woman of her era. She had thoughts and opinions on many subjects and wasn't shy about sharing them! She loved people, art, color, conversation, and big chunky jewelry, which she wore with panache. She also loved the performing arts. She was long-time season ticket holder to the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Ballet. This past year, she attended several performances with her favorite date, and great-nephew, Miles Backer.
Gail also achieved tremendous success in her personal life. She had a unique knack for attracting people who stayed in her orbit for a long time. Her retinue of friends encompassed diverse individuals and, sometimes, whole families. Most people she encountered, including her six real-life nieces and nephews and five great-nephews, knew her as "Auntie Gail;" many considered her to be their Auntie Mame as much as Auntie Gail.
Be it a bar or bat mitzvah, a birthday, or a holiday, we all have cherished memories of our beautiful and exotic Auntie Gail swooping in from California to shower us with her love and attention. She was kind-hearted and loving to everyone she met. At the same time, she was a confident, strong woman and a positive role model for the many young girls who looked up to her.
Gail's adopted nieces, of whom there were many, credit her with helping them see the importance of presenting themselves to the world as strong women.
(Julia and Carolyn- daughters of good friend Dale Franks)
"Auntie Gail adopted the Franks girls as her nieces, always modeling for us her love and generosity, her insatiable curiosity and openness to new experiences and ideas and helped us to see the importance of presenting one's authentic self to the world. Her strength and generous heart gave us the safety and confidence we needed to go into the world on our own"
(Leah and Gillian- daughters of her friend Sharon Herman)
"Gail always donated to children's charities. She had such a joie de vivre. Until the very end, she enjoyed visits from friends and family, delighted in her favorite candies, and appreciated the trees out the window. She lived in the moment."
During her last months, Gail was surrounded by the attention and affection of her dedicated cadre of caregivers, who, led by Vicky ("Just a minute, Miss Gail") included Bea, Gemma, Natalie & Eugene, and her loving neighbors, especially her guardian angel Barry Wienerman.
She leaves behind her sister, Merle Belz Backer, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; nephew Greg Belz of Memphis, Tennessee; niece Marla Backer Brown of Atlanta, Georgia; nephew Dean Backer (Katy Mooney) of Santa Barbara, California; nephew Michael Belz of Memphis, Tennessee; niece Lisa Belz Devisfruto (Dan) of Memphis; nephew Robert Backer (Jennifer) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and her adoring great-nephews Sam and Miles Backer, Jake Backer, Spencer and Carter Brown, and Levi Belz.
Services were held on Thursday, November 14th, at 1:00 p.m., at Baron Hirsch Cemetery, 1499 Rozelle, Memphis, TN.