Marilyn Gayle Carlisle

Marilyn Gayle Carlisle, 77, of Missoula, MT, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at Rosetta Assisted Living. She was born on November 24, 1939, to William and Ovida Carlisle of Culbertson, MT.

Gayle attended Culbertson schools and graduated from Culbertson High School in 1957 as its Valedictorian. She attended the University of Denver and Minot State Teachers College, graduating with a B.A. in English in 1961. After teaching English in Bismarck, ND, for 2 years, Gayle moved to Missoula in 1963 where she taught English at Sentinel High School for the next 38 years. Gayle also obtained a M.A. in English from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO.
English literature and creative writing were Gayle's passion. A colleague described her as an excellent teacher who was always prepared, hard-working, and dispensed wisdom with a wonderful sense of humor. Her students' intellectual growth and success in her classes were the focus of her energy. Gayle embraced new technology such as computers that could help her students learn, and her students invariably thrived. Gayle also served as the consummate Chairman of Sentinel's English department from 1974-1998. She taught Senior advanced placement (AP) English classes from 1974 until she retired as a Sentinel teacher in 2001.

Gayle loved to travel in her spare time, taking trips to Japan, Germany, England, and Alaska. She took multiple trips to England to learn more about its history and the English writers whose literature she adored. Gayle also was an avid genealogist and spearheaded the Carlisle family research in England and Scotland. She always made sure that her latest research results were recorded and shared with her immediate family. In retirement, Gayle also was a faithful volunteer at the Missoula Aging Services and Community Hospital and served as an election judge.
Gayle was devoted to her family and was so proud of all of her nieces and nephews: Bill, Heather, Christine, Charlotte, and Paul. She loved getting e-mails from them as they kept her in touch. Many of these family members came to spend time with her in Missoula, even staying with her in their younger days as they attended summer school.

In addition to her nieces and nephews, Gayle is survived by her brother, Jim (Evelyn), and sister, Connie (Bill).

A gathering for the celebration of Gayle's life is being planned for Spring 2016 with burial in Missoula Cemetery. Graveside service arrangements will be announced separately.

Read Marilyn Carlisle's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.