Frances Gail Bergman's Obituary
Gail cherished laughter, and her MENSA-smart intelligence made for a lifetime of quick-witted one-liners, all of which were delivered with elegance and precise timing. Her sense of humor may have stemmed from having an unpronounceable maiden name, but it more likely grew from those who surrounded her. Gail’s mother, Ruth Layton “Toomama” Aechternacht, and father, Albert Charles “Buddy” Aechternacht, raised Gail to be a woman of grace, faith, and generosity. Gail wore pearls and white gloves when appropriate, and was humble and self-deprecating, to a fault. Born in Corsicana, Texas, Gail was raised in Dallas and was the eldest and only sister to three brothers, twins Phillip and David Aechternacht, and baby Stephen Aechternacht. Being the big sister of three brothers allowed Gail the opportunity to hone her skills as a nurturer, companion, and intellectual sparring partner. Gail was also a songbird. When she attended Abilene Christian University in 1954, she joined the chorale. There, she employed her sassy singing, porcelain skin and Liz Taylor-like profile to woo the attention of Carl Layton Bergman, whom she married on December 27, 1955, at the Preston Road Church of Christ. Shortly after marrying, Layton and Gail moved to the dustbowl of Amarillo, Texas, so Layton could serve in the Air Force. Returning to Dallas in 1957, Gail gave birth to their beautiful and intelligent first daughter, Leslee Ruth Bergman. But longing for foliage not shaped like a tumbleweed, Layton moved Gail and the girls to Medford, Oregon in 1959. In 1960, Gail welcomed the wide-eyed and funny Stephanie Gail Bergman to the family. Despite having two babies and a military man at home, Gail always maintained that certain “je ne sais quoi” of a consummate lady. Once in the proving ground of Oregon, Gail shed her white gloves to do the hard work of being a tomato and bean growing gardener, all while being a loving, tender, and dedicated wife and mother. Gail and the family then moved to the State of Washington in 1969, where Gail forever traded Texas heat and humidity for the wet moss of the northwest. In 1964, Gail gave birth to her third and last child, Allison Layton Bergman. Finished with having babies, Gail continued to conquer all. Reflecting her love of food and acumen in the kitchen, Gail delivered family meals with radishes sculpted into roses, making art out of the mundane. She was skilled at concocting five-star meals using Campbell’s Soup, and was lauded by the family when she served “Go to Church Pork chops” or prepared a multi-gallon tub of borscht, topped with a dollop of sour cream. Gail used her genuine warmth, humor and wit to raise her girls to be strong women. She made everyone laugh, and she was adored. She also loved beyond human: in addition to Layton and her girls, Gail nurtured big, rolly polly and drooling St. Bernards – Oly, Sasha, and Rolly, each of whom she coddled like babies from the womb. Although Gail’s first job was family, she also had professional oats to sow. In 1978, Gail studied to be a Licensed Practice Nurse. In school, she was a 4.0 student. Then, in 1979, upon graduating, she earned the highest score in the State of Washington on her board exam – huge achievements, and surprises to no one. Continuing in excellence, as a nurse, Gail took great pride in the art of caretaking, and cared dutifully for the elderly, for many years. While serving others, Gail became a painter and candlemaker. Her works were splendid, but she would never admit to engaging in such arts. Instead, she would scoff at the notion and quote Thoreau, saying that persons doing crafts were “leading quiet lives of desperation.” In 1991, Layton and Gail moved to Virginia, to join their girls. They purchased acreage in Glen Allen, where Gail spent her summer days gardening. Wearing an oversized straw hat, she apprehended crop eating Japanese beetles and produced tomatoes so plentiful to gift. Off-season, Gail enjoyed TV, Chinese cuisine at Yen Cheng, and bought blue floral blouses. Hundreds of blouses. Hundreds. But whether wearing a blue blouse or donning one of her infamous at-home “muu-muus,” Gail always beamed with physical and spiritual beauty, and carried herself like a debutante. Her beautifully arched and trademark eyebrows always framed her face. She insisted on nothing less. After all, one never knew when the paparazzi might show. Gail was a life-long member of the Church of Christ, and continuously volunteered her time and talents. She made floral arrangements for the pulpit, prepared wicked potluck dishes, and served as a speaker to the women’s ministry. And Gail always employed her humor and personable nature to make her point. Coupled with a few wisecracking gentile comments, of course. In 2005, shortly before her 50th wedding anniversary, Gail was robbed of her eloquence after suffering a stroke. The event left her unable to speak understandably. But she understood everything, and empowered by her good soul, facial expressions and lively hand gestures, she continued to share her spitfire brilliance, sarcasm, humor, grace, elegance, and tenderness. And she did so with warmth, until the end. Gail has left our world, gently, to join Christ. Awaiting as companions are her mother, Toomama, father Buddy, her brothers, Phillip and David, and a legion of family and friends. Gail is survived by her one and only Layton, with whom she recently celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary; her three daughters, Leslee Cavanaugh, Stephanie Cervantes, and Allison Bergman; her brother and first earthly baby, Stephen Aechternacht; her humor mate, Tony Briggle; grandchildren Portia Strautman, Byron and Amelia Ridenour; and great grandson, Mason. Although Gail now lives in the Heavens, she will always live on in our hearts, wearing a muumuu, of course, all while singing “Bali Hai” from the movie, South Pacific. Gail, may you rest in peace in the Heavens, with humor, beauty, and a twist of something different – just as you did while here with us on Earth. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 from 4- 6 PM at Restland Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11 AM at Restland Memorial Park.
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