Contributions
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.
Go Fund Me Support: will be used exclusively for the education and care of Auggie and Bodie, who have lost both parents
Web Site
Life Story / Obituary
Gabrielle "Gabby" Lois Badger Brown of Traverse City, an unbelievably loving, present and devoted mother, adoring only daughter to her #1 hero, her own mother, dedicated wife and gatherer of the absolute best collection of friends over the course of her far too short time with us, reunited with loved ones at the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday, August 29, 2024. She was 43 years old.
Born on July 8, 1981, in Traverse City, Michigan, Gabby's spirit lives on in her two young sons, who were the loves of her life: August "Auggie" Waite (age 7) and Boden "Bodie" Waite (age 4). She is also survived by her beloved mother Joanne Badger of Traverse City; uncle Don (Chris) Bendickson of Bradenton, FL; cousin Inga Bendickson of Traverse City, along with other cousins in states outside of Michigan; in-laws Richard and Nancy Waite (Guglielmo) of Lordstown, OH; sister-in-law Jaime Oakely (Waite) of De Soto, KS; and dear and lifelong friends whom she considered family. She is preceded in death by her husband Andrew Waite, who tragically passed on December 24, 2023; grandparents Fred and Lois Bendickson; uncles Dawain O. Bendickson and Darryl Frederick Bendickson; aunts Elaine Bendickson and Nancy Bendickson; cousins Blaine and Tiffanie Bendickson; and beloved pets.
Gabby was a deeply fun and lively person. Even in life's darkest moments she always found a way to display a sense of humor and hope – a remarkable and rare quality. She was sunshine personified, though, as a social worker and psychotherapist, she had a healthy balance of dark humor too, knowing firsthand life could be both unpredictable and profoundly unfair. Something we're reminded of in this moment more than ever. She was as capable of bringing you to your knees with laughter from just a pointed, perfectly timed look, as she was to have you cackling with her general observations and commentary on life. She appreciated the simple things, be that a great meal, songs she could sing and shake to while blasting at full volume in her car, episodes of The Great British Bakeoff, Shoresy and Shark Week, walks on a beautiful day or couch snuggles with her babies.
She loved Christmas with her whole heart. Looked forward to it all year long and loved making it magical for everyone in her life from her own beautiful children to hosting an annual holiday "Girly Party" with friends that had continued since high school. A self-declared foodie (who longed for a better word for that), she relished going out for long, multi-course meals and rarely showed up to a planned group gathering without supplying either a homemade snack mix, baked brie or funfetti cake. Gabby never missed a Cherry Festival Parade, a steadfast tradition in her family that she then passed on to her boys. Never met a beach, lake, lilac, peony or Ruth Bader Ginsburg swag/quote she didn't like. Loved to travel, and favorite spots that she made it to included Hawaii, Iceland and Norway, with her mom as her go-to travel buddy at every stage of life. Gabby had great affection for dogs, but especially golden retrievers, because, well, she was one. Over the course of her life she owned three goldens: her beloved Jane pictured here, Chloe, and most recently new puppy Rue (named after Rue McClanahan, aka Blanche on Golden Girls), and she was known to frequently dog sit for friends as well.
Gabby was absolutely over the moon about her boys, thrilled that Andrew was the person she chose to love them into this world with her after marrying him on a lovely, balmy winter day on December 22, 2015, at the Top of the Park in Traverse City. Their shared dreams then realized with the birth of their two sons in March 2017 and April 2020 respectively. Referring to Auggie as her mini-me from the minute he was born and Bodie as her cuddly Bodie Bear, a mini-me of his father. Always going above and beyond as a mother to make her children feel seen and loved. From decorating the outside of their bedroom door with animal balloons and crepe paper the night before their birthday so they would open the door to that wonderful surprise avalanche; to agreeing to take them outside in the absolute dead of winter because they already got dressed and were frantic to frolic in the freshly fallen snow; to playing the same fishing game over and over and over that they could both just never seem to get enough of no matter her frequently they played. A fun mom while being nothing like the one portrayed in the film Mean Girls (one of her personal faves) aside from wearing the occasional pink velour house pant. Gabby was full of adventure, energy and joy, but also boundaries and balance, recognizing parenting was a journey not a race, and that it takes a village. A village that she fully embraced, making that an important part of her kids' lives too. Never doubting they were loved by many.
Incredibly athletic and strong, both physically and mentally, Gabby was never afraid of a challenge. A gymnast from a young age, who even went on to coach in the sport herself. A swimmer and diver. A pom. A proud TC Curling Club member. A part time fitness instructor just for fun, who loved the rush of endorphins as much as helping and meeting new people. A runner and triathlete, competing in countless races including at Disney while wearing colorful tutus and tiaras, then becoming an actual medaled Ironman. Who also knew as life went on not to take any competition too seriously, just to try and enjoy them. Because she contained multitudes!
Gabby was, as Mr. Rogers would say, a helper. A graduate of Traverse City Central High School in 1999, Eastern Michigan University in the winter of 2005 and Illinois State University with a Master of Social Work in 2007, the work she devoted her life to included reuniting families, assisting clients with a wide range of mental health and relationship issues, helping LGBTQIA+ folks through challenging transitions and aiding families facing hospice/end of life changes. But her helping was not limited to her work, greatly believing in community, showing up for people and generously being there for family and friends. Qualities she had noticeably displayed since childhood, always welcoming, easy to get along with and lighting up any room she was in. The kind of person you'd be as likely to call or text with big news, as you would be to just shoot the breeze about your day. Always there to champion you, support you and accept you, flaws and all, exactly as you were in that present moment. To her, perfection was boring and unattainable, but empathy, fearlessness, openness, silliness and laughter, growth, adventure and love, was what truly made life worthwhile. A reminder for us all as we forever carry her with us. As E.E. Cummings put it perfectly, "I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)."
A celebration of Gabby's unforgettable life will be held at a later date in Traverse City, MI. Memorial contributions will be used exclusively for the education and care of Auggie and Bodie, who have lost both of their parents in the span of less than a year and will now be cared for by Gabby's mother full-time: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-gabbys-mother-and-boys Condolences, tributes and any shared memories welcome here at any time: www.lifestorytc.com. Each memory or anecdote, exceedingly appreciated by all who loved Gabby, especially her young sons as they grow and wish to remember every part of their mother who was taken from them much too soon.