Gayle Claire Lloyd

Gayle Claire Ashworth Lloyd, age 96, our dear matriarch, completed her mortal mission on May 1, 2023 from the combined effects of her advanced age.  Born January 12, 1927 in Salt Lake City to Paul Parrish and Jane Ferrin Ashworth, she was the 4th of 5 siblings.

In her early years, she lived with her family in the Hawthorn area of Salt Lake City.  Gayle especially enjoyed summer days spent at a family cabin at Wildwood in Provo canyon.  There she learned to swim in the Provo River (when her father just threw her in), hike, play tennis and other sports developing a somewhat “tomboy” pattern of vigorous activity.  She could throw a baseball as well as the boys and oftentimes would be selected to play ahead of them.  She could also throw a football with a perfect spiral.

When her father’s work took him to Richfield, UT, she moved with her parents to start seventh grade there.  It was discovered shortly that Gayle was already performing at an eighth grade level and officials deemed it appropriate for her to be moved up to that grade.  She continued as an excellent student until graduating from Richfield High class of 1944.  Her father recounted being told that Gayle qualified to be Valedictorian, but the award was not given that year.  Mother continued her education at BYU starting nursing but graduating in Political Science in 1948.

Gayle married Bruce Anders Lloyd M.D. on September 1, 1950 with their union sealed in the Logan temple.  They parented and raised seven children:  Elizabeth (Bob) Knell, Barry (Karla), Lindsay (Becky), Layne, Eric, Evan, and Amy (deceased) (Dean) Jarman.  She has an ever-expanding posterity, including 21 grandchildren, 43 greats, 3 great greats.  She enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, camping, particularly family rafting trips on western rivers:  Middle Fork of the Salmon, Yampa, later rafting the Grand Canyon in her 70’s.  She also loved spending time at the family farm in Thayne, Wyoming.

Daughter of an Ivy League trained engineer, education was given a high priority in her home.  She was a voracious reader.  Her children all achieved college degrees and some graduate diplomas.  Several grandchildren have followed suit.

Gayle was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Throughout her long life she served in many church callings.  These included M.I.A., Young Women’s, Primary, and Relief Society.  She especially enjoyed serving as an ordinance worker for 17 years in the Salt Lake Temple.  She also supported her beloved Bruce in his callings including Bishop, High Councilor, and Stake Presidency.  They served as a couple in the South Africa Cape Town Mission for a few months, but then were called to preside over the Washington Spokane Mission.  Service in these missions concluded three years to the day later when Bruce was diagnosed with leukemia.  She cared for him faithfully until his death six months later.

There were also some notable inconsistencies about our mother.  Despite meeting her eternal companion at a U of U basketball game and remaining a lifelong cougar fan, she would not watch the games.  She often stated that one thing she didn’t miss about Dad was that “I don’t have to listen to the ball games.”  She loved animals -- dogs, but insisted they remain outside.  She really did not like cats.  This could be a result of the neighborhood feline’s proclivity to gather for mating rituals outside her bedroom window.  She would cringe to learn that the correct term for a baby rabbit, like the orphaned ones she nursed to weaning with Tiny Tears bottles, is actually “kitten!”  A “Poli Sci” major, she never became very political, rarely even mentioning the degree.  She espoused generally conservative principles, but for the most part did not endorse individuals, preferring challengers to the corruption of incumbents, and smaller localized government to perpetual expansion.

Overall, Granny served a life of fidelity and service to her family, neighbors, and Savior.  She will be greatly missed by all.

In accordance with her wishes, a public nonviewing/reception for friends and neighbors will be held Friday, May 12th at 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the LDS meetinghouse at 3750 South Hillside Lane in Millcreek, Utah.

A special thanks to the staff at Spring Gardens and Hospice for making our mother’s last days comfortable.