Friends start scholarship fund in memory of Kent teacher Gail Gese

Donate on GoFundMe page for Cedar Heights Middle School teacher

Gail Gese. COURTESY PHOTO, New Tacoma Funeral Home

Gail Gese. COURTESY PHOTO, New Tacoma Funeral Home

Friends of Cedar Heights Middle School teacher Gail Gese have started a GoFundMe page to raise money for a scholarship fund in her memory.

“Many in the Kent School District community are deeply saddened by the loss of Gail Gese, an amazing educator at Cedar Heights Middle School,” said Alex Eastwood in a Feb. 16 Facebook post. “Gail touched the lives of so many students and inspired us all to be our best. In honor of Gail’s memory, we have created a scholarship fund in partnership with the Kent Community Foundation to continue her legacy of education and inspiration.”

The Gail Gese Sunshine Scholars Memorial Fund will provide financial assistance to students who embody the teacher’s passion for learning and commitment to making a difference in the world.

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“With your support, we can help these students achieve their goals and keep Gail’s spirit alive,” Eastwood said.

Donate at gofund.me/84525bc2. The fundraising goal is $25,000.

“The fund will provide financial assistance to one (or more) students who embody Gail’s passion for learning and commitment to making the world a brighter place for everyone,” according to the GoFundMe page. “This scholarship will help Kent School District students pursue their future academic goals, and will help keep Gail’s story alive for years to come.”

Eastwood will be marketing and collecting funds, as will Erika Hansen, principal at Cedar Heights Middle School. Funds will be distributed to the Kent Community Foundation.

The Kent Community Foundation, a nonprofit, started in 1986. College scholarships are one of the programs it offers.

Gese, 66, was found fatally stabbed Feb. 1 at her Tacoma home. Pierce County prosecutors have charged her son Michael Gese, 31, with first-degree murder.

Gese taught math, foods, fads and finance at Cedar Heights since 2011, and previously taught at Kent Phoenix Academy.


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