Gail Somers Burnett Kass
October 24, 1935 - February 22, 2025
Gail was born to Jean and Frederick Burnett on October 24, 1935. Her first 15 years were somewhat idyllic. She grew up next door to her grandparents in Allendale, NJ. There was a huge plot of land behind the two houses for a victory garden and later her grandfather’s strawberry beds, raspberry bushes and fruit trees. Behind that was a woods with a pond where she learned to ice skate.
A sister, Carol Louise was born when Gail was almost 10. The family moved to upstate NY, (Schenectady) where Gail finished high school. She attended Colby Jr College in New Hampshire and then Cooper Union where she studied art and met her husband, Tom Kass.
Gail and Tom married in June 1960. Their Son Thomas was born in Minneapolis and daughter Priscilla was born shortly after moving to Salt Lake where Tom taught at the University.
Gail had jobs as an artist doing calligraphy for Augsburg Publishing House in Minneapolis and rug design in New York. She continued doing and teaching calligraphy in Salt Lake.
A life-long Episcopalian, Gail was a devout parishioner at the Cathedral Church of St. Marks for many years. She loved the outdoors, the skiing and hiking in Utah and the view from her home in the Avenues. Over the years she enjoyed travel to Korea, Europe, California and hiking the mountains of Utah with her children.
She always formed deep friendships which sustained her in good times and bad. Her life was devoted to her husband and two children and their dog, Rags. Her sweetness, gentleness and
generosity will be sorely missed by those whose lives she touched.
Gail passed away peacefully on February 22 with her children by her side. She is survived by her son, Thomas Foster Kass, his husband, Steve Russo, her daughter, Priscilla Somers Kass and her sister, Carol Burnett Hubenthal, husband Mahlon and their family of 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Salt Lake City.
A funeral for Gail will be held at St Mark’s on April 3 at 11:00 am.
In Loving Memory
Gail, I'll miss our walks through various parts of the Avenues and Red Butte Garden on warm, not hot, days. I'll also miss the bacon-wrapped steak dinners you prepared. Most of all, I'll miss you and your sense of humor.
We at Phillips Gallery so enjoyed Gail's visits and dear Tom's work. Gail was so supportive of the arts and made a significant contribution to the fine arts and our dear environment. Bonnie Phillips
In Loving Memory
