Gayla Marie Elsner of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on November 10, 2023, at the age of 63.  She chose to live out her final days in hospice care at home, where she was cared for and visited by numerous family members and friends from across the country.

Gayla lived her life with a unique flair, full of smiles, laughter and memorable happy moments, even while battling cancer for the last 14 years of her life.  She was a vibrant source of joy to many, a burden to none.

Gayla was born on September 11, 1960, to Albert and Shirley (Samonski) Morison in Trenton, New Jersey.  She attended Pemberton High School where she excelled in academics and was a long-distance runner on the women's track team.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1983.

In 1983 Gayla gave birth to Dominic Venturi, followed by Stephanie in 1984, and Amalia in 1986.  She considered motherhood to be her most important role and greatest achievement.

Gayla was working as a lab technician and document editor at the Rutgers University Blueberry and Cranberry Research Center in Chatsworth, New Jersey when she met Erwin 'Duke' Elsner.  They were married on May 29, 1990 and soon the blended family moved to Traverse City when Duke was hired to be an Agricultural Extension Agent for Michigan State University.   At first Gayla worked at various part time jobs so she could be heavily involved in her children's schooling and development.

Gayla then started the career most people knew her for, nursing, through coursework at Northwestern Michigan College.  In 1994 she obtained a Practical Nursing Certificate and began work in a private practice office.  In 1996 she joined the staff of Munson Medical Center.  She completed an Associates Degree in Nursing from NMC in 2000.  She worked on numerous units in the hospital and was instrumental in the establishment of a new, hospitalist-directed pre-admission unit at Munson Hospital.  Through her work she touched the lives of thousands of people through nursing care and kindness to patients and their families.  In 2000 she won a Northern Express Peoples Choice Award for being one of the best nurses in Traverse City, and a Hospitalist Quality Achievement Award from Munson Medical center in 2007.  She also did private-duty care and a travel nursing assignment.

Gayla was a very active person in her community, through service to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, volunteering at the Munson Hospice House, assisting with exhibit supervision at the Northwest Michigan Fair, and being a member of a number of community groups.

Somehow, she found time for being a gardener, cook, knitter, reader, hiker, racewalker, kayaker, crafter, resale shopper, recorder player, and Medieval reenactor with the Society for Creative Anachronism.  She travelled often to visit her parents and brothers, and frequently joined Duke on his professional trips and activities.

Gayla was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009, and at that time her life expectancy was five years.  Thanks to research and advancing treatment options, she was able to keep her cancer at bay and continue to live a good life for 14 years.  Multiple myeloma eventually ruined her body, but it never crushed her spirit.  We'll call it a draw.

Gayla was preceded in death by her father Albert Morison, and the father of her children, Arturo Venturi.  She is survived by her mother Shirley Morison, brothers Albert (Jill) and Matthew (Beth), children Dominic, Stephanie and Amalia (Jeremy Champt) and her husband Duke.

Many thanks to the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Munson Hospital and the Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City.  Donations may be directed to the International Myeloma Foundation or the Cowell Family Cancer Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday, November 17, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 308 N Cedar Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684, with Father Anthony Citro celebrant.  Interment will take place in Linwood Cemetery, in Traverse City, at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church. A luncheon will be served following the Mass at the church.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com