Gail Ingraham

Gail Ingraham, 71, of Suttons Bay, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve after a years’ long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Gail was born in Denver, Colorado to the late Selwyn and Ellen (Haury) Hewitt.

Gail met her lifelong husband Bart at Colorado State University. They married on April 3, 1971, in Denver, Colorado. They moved to Michigan and bought the Shady Lane property in 1974, where their ashes will be placed under the old apple tree.

In their earlier years, they served in the Peace Corp in the Philippines. Gail worked for Old Kent Bank in the late 1980s as a loan officer, and in 1990 started Bellwether Gardens, a landscape design and installation business. Gail was a Master Gardener, and her garden designs grace many residential and commercial locations as well as a number of churches in the area.

Gail was a talented quilter, and she designed and made her beautiful “Barns of Leelanau County” quilt, which has been donated to the Leelanau Historical Society. As a fiber artist, her work was included in area art exhibitions, as well as in quilting publications and a nationally recognized book of fiber art.

Gail enjoyed reading and deep conversations. Her recipe for Mennonite apple pie is a treasure. She wrote poetry and made soul collage cards. She loved birds, barns, chocolate and long walks.

Gail was preceded in death by her husband, Bart, brothers Barry Hewitt and Craig Hewitt and her parents. She is survived by two nephews, Ian and Colin Hewitt.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to the Leelanau Conservancy or Heartland Hospice.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home.