LeeAnn Gail Ayotte
LeeAnn Gail Ayotte of Onaway passed away August 22, 2026, peacefully, leaving behind a lifetime of love, kindness, laughter and memories that will be cherished by all who knew her.
LeeAnn was born in Onaway to Warren “Ted” Skinner and Myrtle “Jean” Skinner May 22, 1941. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David “Dave” Ayotte; her sister, Phyllis Gaudette; her children’s father, James P. Gunter Sr.; and her late husband, Colin “Collie” Brooks.
She is survived by her children, James “Jim” Gunter Jr., Debbie (Don) Artrip and Randy Gunter; and her grandchildren, Emily Umbarger, Katie (Brian) Robinson, Michael (Jenny) Artrip, Heather (Brad) Notter, Angela (Chad) Lively, Laurie (Troy) McMannen, Bonnie Gunter, Shanna Gunter, Morgan (Chris) Boughner, Brooks Stevenson and Amber (Jason) Richardson. She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren, Lily (Jacob), Iris, Jake, Joey, Trip, Claire, Peggy, Bonnie and Harrison, who brought her endless joy and pride.
LeeAnn and Dave met while working at Proctor and Gamble in Cheboygan and were married June 16, 1990. They enjoyed traveling together in their retirement, taking long road trips to visit many of the country’s beautiful places. Dave and LeeAnn were actively involved in spending time with their grandchildren whenever possible. Dave passed away January 15, 2013.
LeeAnn had a deep love for nature and spent much of her life surrounded by the things she loved most: birds, flowers, herbs, gardens and the people she cared about. She was an active member of the Onaway Stepping Stones Garden Club, the Onaway Book Club, the Onaway Senior Center, and enjoyed many wonderful outings with her Red Hat Club friends. LeeAnn spent countless hours helping her grandchildren prepare 4H projects for the fair and was always so proud of their entries. She was also an avid master gardener and devoted nearly two decades to volunteering in the historic gardens at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.
For LeeAnn, volunteering at “the fort” was about much more than gardening. It was a place where she made friends, shared her knowledge and created memories. It was not uncommon for her to bring friends and family members along to volunteer, encouraging them to join in the fun of dressing in period clothing and demonstrating what life was like in the 18th century. Over the years, she became affectionately known simply as “Grandma” to dozens of her grandchildren’s friends and to many of the employees at the fort. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome, loved and like they belonged.
LeeAnn had a special gift for working with herbs and natural remedies. She became well-known for her infamous comfrey salve, made from colonial recipes, as well as her herbal and rose hip teas, homemade horehound cough drops and other wonderful salves. She loved sharing what she knew, and her knowledge was always accompanied by a genuine desire to help others.
She found great joy in the simple things. She loved a good cup of black coffee, a lively game of cribbage, pedro or euchre, long conversations with friends and family, and spending time outdoors. She spent countless hours hunting for morels, blueberries and wild blackberries with her family and friends, passing along not only her knowledge of nature but also the joy of slowing down and appreciating what could be found along the way.
LeeAnn enjoyed long walks at Ocqueoc Falls and trips to Mackinac Island and would bring family and friends there at every opportunity. She loved flowers and often picked them simply to share them with someone else. She believed in giving, sharing a homemade meal together, and in teaching her grandchildren the skills and lessons that would stay with them throughout their lives.
LeeAnn had a kind spirit and a generous soul. She showed her love not only through words, but through her actions. She always seemed to have room in her heart to love one more person, welcome one more friend or make one more person feel at home. She found beauty in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, time spent together and the small acts of kindness that make a life meaningful.
She had a heart of gold and a gentle soul. Her presence brought comfort and warmth to so many people, and her absence will be profoundly felt by her family, friends and the many people whose lives she touched.
LeeAnn leaves behind more t
She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
LeeAnn will be honored in a Celebration of Life Saturday, August 29, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 3605 N. Lynn St. Onaway, MI. Guests are invited to bring a lawn chair and wear floral or bright colors.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations be made in her name to Compassus Hospice Care of Alpena or the Cheboygan Humane Society.
