Gail Cushman, 72, of Hudson passed away on August 19, 2024, after a recent illness.

She was born in Menominee, MI on December 15, 1951, to the late John and LaCretia (Koller) DeKeyser. Gail grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduating from Madison High School, she went to work as a hair stylist and became a successful entrepreneur, eventually owning her own hair salon. It was this fortunate line of work that introduced her to her husband of 44 years, Bill. Later, they joined with Gail’s parents to own and run a popular restaurant in Carefree, AZ. The family moved to California before eventually settling into the home she loved most, a house on the water in Hudson, FL. There, she excelled as the manager of a nearby hotel, was on the board of local tourist development, and was a respected member of the local community. She was known for her selflessness, hard work and boundless positive energy. In her retirement, she reveled in the company of her grandchildren, children, husband and many friends and relatives who visited often to share views of the dolphins off her deck.

Gail is survived by her husband William (Bill) Cushman; their son, Scott Adam Cushman and his wife Tiffany (Piemontese) of Spring Hill, Florida, and their children Logan, Marissa, and Noah. She was a stepmom/grandmother to Robert (Bobby) Cushman and his wife Kate of Wisconsin and their children Marcus and Kylie, and to Bob’s late brother Mark Cushman. She is further survived by her brothers John DeKeyser and his wife Lynda (Largo, FL) and Kelly DeKeyser and his wife Stacy (Simsbury, CT). She was a favorite auntie to Paul DeKeyser of Orlando, Thomas DeKeyser of Simsbury, CT and Steven DeKeyser of West Hartford, CT.

Her funeral will be held at Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, 9944 Hudson Avenue, Hudson, on Sunday August 25 from 1:00-3:00 with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and a remembrance at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the family to assist with expenses for my father, or to the Humane Society of Pasco County in Gail’s name.