Gail Folsom Baer, 85, of Pensacola, FL passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.

Gail was born on October 31, 1937, in Bridgeport, CT. She was the youngest child of Muriel and Ed Folsom. Gail spent her childhood following in the steps of her beloved brothers, Earl and Alan. They challenged her to be adventurous and self-assured with a can-do attitude. At 12, Gail contracted polio and was destined for a life in leg braces had it not been for the tenacity of her mother who declared to the doctors that her daughter would NEVER be hindered by braces much less a wheelchair. This fighting spirit coupled with the characteristics her brothers sparked in her, set our beloved Mom on a course of overcoming for the remainder of her lifetime and has served as a benchmark to her family that we can do anything we set our minds to.

After graduating from Central High School in Louisville, Gail attended Indiana University and then the University of Louisville where she earned a BS in Home Economics. It was at U of L that she met the love of her life, Jim Baer. They were engaged within six weeks and married within six months. For the first 23 years of marriage, they traveled the globe while Jim worked in the United States Army. In 1997, they relocated to Pensacola where they would live for the remainder of their lives.

Mom was a career volunteer. While Dad served the country, Mom served the community. Whether it was Candy Striping for the Red Cross, serving on the Officer Wives Club boards wherever they were stationed, volunteering in classrooms and for the PTA, working on Friends of the Library, or serving the church in too many ways to count, Mom KNEW if there was a need – she could and would fill it. Later in our childhoods, she went back to school and earned her teaching certificate. Mom was a natural born teacher, and it is the place she shined. She took a keen interest in her students and went the extra mile to make sure that she was meeting all their needs regardless of the time and effort. After retirement, the church became her classroom. She loved teaching – especially with Dad – and spent the last 20 years sharing the love of Christ with people of all ages. In addition, Gail was a voracious reader, avid sports fan, excellent cook, knitter extraordinaire, talented seamstress, best friend to all who knew her and life-long learner.

Above all, Gail was the best Mom to her kids and the most devoted Nana. She loved us fiercely and ceaselessly. There honestly was not a day in our collective lives that she wasn't in touch with us. Intentionality, compassion, lending advice, being interested in others opposed to interesting to them, laughter, a fair amount of sass, a love of learning, and a never give up attitude are the gifts she gave us all. Mom was a survivor – polio and breast cancer – and never once did she complain. She did the things – golf, tennis, bike riding, skiing, bowling, sailing, walking – that most would have urged her not to do, but her attitude always prevailed. If there was a will, there was a way. She just never gave up and we are so very thankful she didn't because the world she shared with us was nothing short of amazing.

Gail is survived by her son, Michael Baer (Karen); her daughter, Jennie Barrow (Scott) and her much beloved grandchildren, Shaun Baer (Jessi) and Riley Baer (Andy) and their mother, Elizabeth, and Ben (Callie) and Lucy Barrow.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Muriel and Ed Folsom; her brothers, Earl and Alan Folsom; her precious husband of 65 years, Jim "Papa" Baer. There is no doubt in our minds that he, along with 5 yellow dogs welcomed her into heaven.

The family will host a joint celebration of life honoring Gail and Jim at 2:00pm Friday, November 10, 2023, at Community Life Church in Gulf Breeze.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of our parents to either Children and Youth Department at Community Life Church, 4115 Soundside Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 or Echo Life Kids located at Echo Life Church, 3880 N. Davis Hwy., Pensacola, FL 32503.