Gail Jo Burjes

Gail Burjes passed away on January 26, 2025 at Alton Memorial Hospital. She was born in Topeka, KS on November 23, 1944 to Joseph and Kathryn Kubacka. She grew up in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and graduated from North Union High School. After attending business college, she worked in the business office of Uniontown Hospital. She met the love of her life, Robert Burjes, through a mutual friend and they were married on May 16, 1970. Gail moved to Alton with Robert, where they started their family. She was a long-time employee of the Alton School District and served as adviser for the Alton High School Student Council. She served in as many volunteer capacities as she possibly could. She served on the board for the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders for many years. She was the consummate “band mom” and could be found in the stands cheering for the Marching 100 during their many competitions and performances, as well as in the audience at orchestra performances, jazz band performances, choir performances, and theater performances. She made it her duty to ensure that the performing arts students and teachers had everything they needed for their programs and performances, resulting in a common refrain: “The easiest way to get something done is to tell Gail Burjes she can’t do it.” She was one of the founders of the Olde Alton Arts and Crafts Fair, one of the major fundraisers for ABOB. She enjoyed visiting different craft fairs to scout for new crafters and was always on the lookout for unique artisans. Gail and Robert served on the board for the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial, an organization that awards scholarships to deserving graduates of high schools in the Alton/Godfrey community in honor of Elijah P. Lovejoy, abolitionist and the first martyr of the American Free Press. In her later years, she enjoyed writing to her many pen pals at Challenge Unlimited and made sure their parties and events had plenty of snacks. Gail loved her pets and took great pride in her dog Trevor’s repertoire of tricks and delighted at the hijinks of her cats Bob Foster and Dexter, as well as her grandcats and granddog. Gail is survived by her husband Robert, daughters Genifer Brown (Matt) of Swansea, and Sarah Robertson of Alton, sisters Pamela Seighman (Tom) of Uniontown, PA, and Dr. Renee Juhl (Randy) of Glenshaw, PA., sister-in-law Nancy Sorgea of Brighton, and nephews Brian Sorgea (Angie) and Michael Sorgea, niece Tara Balonick (Brian), nephew, Ryan Seighman, great niece, Bailee Sorgea, great nephew, Ashton Sorgea, great niece, Bonnie Balonick, great nephew, Bruce Balonick, great niece, Sophia Seighman, great nephew, Eli Seighman, and her “bonus daughters” Melissa Morganroth Alford, Dawn Weber, Leslie Sanders, and Cat Staton, plus many, many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law Frank Sorgea, and sister-in-law Jackie Burjes. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until time of funeral service at 7:00 pm on Monday, February 3, 2025 at Gent Funeral Home, 2409 State Street, Alton, Illinois 62002. A private burial will be conducted at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Memorials may be made in Gail’s honor to the 5A’s Animal Shelter, Alton Band and Orchestra Builders, or the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial. Gail’s family would like to thank the staff at Alton Memorial Hospital, including physical therapist Kari Pinkard, ICU nurses Maria, Emily, and Scott as well as Dr. Masetti and Dr. Kirby for their excellent care and compassion. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

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Gail Jo Burjes

November 23, 1944 - January 26, 2025