Gloria Carruth

Gloria Jane Gillies Carruth

4/21/1931 ~ 5/25/2021

North Salt Lake, UT—Gloria Jane Gillies Carruth passed away peacefully in her cozy bed at the age of 90, knowing she was surrounded by the love of her family.

“Quit crying, you’re going to make yourself sick,” was one of the many pieces of advice Jane shared with her daughters after the death of her husband. They will try to honor her wishes.  Janie, as she was known by her adoring and loving parents, was born on April 21, 1931, in Detroit, MI.

Jane graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Education.  Upon graduation, she and her friends drove a Cadillac, cross-country, from Detroit, MI to Long Beach, CA and began their teaching careers. It was there that she met the love of her life, James Baxter Carruth, who was in the Navy at the time. After their long-distance romance, they were married on November 20, 1954, in Detroit, MI.

Their daughter, Suzy Kay, was born in 1956, Detroit, MI. Shortly thereafter, they moved to El Paso, TX.  Jane taught 3rd grade at Eastwood Knolls Elementary School. She loved her students as her own.  Jim accepted a position with Chevron Oil.  Their second daughter, Julie Ann, was born in 1958, El Paso, TX.  In 1964, the family was transferred to Bountiful, UT.

Jane’s teaching career continued at Oak Hills and Boulton Elementary schools in the Davis County School District. After 43 years of teaching, she retired in May 1996.  During her retirement, Jane met regularly with the Boulton Bunch and other fellow teachers.  In June 1996, her husband of 42 years, passed away in an airplane crash. Her daughter’s husbands, Craig Thomas and Mike Woodward helped her immeasurably during that difficult time.

Being the social person she was, Jane became involved with many organizations and clubs. The Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), was one that she held dear to her heart. She served as president for one year, of local Chapter ‘W’, during her 25-year affiliation.  Jane also belonged to Church Women United, College Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Newcomers Club of Salt Lake, Red Hats, Tea Bags, and many more. She and her good friends (you know who you are), enjoyed the time they spent talking and laughing during their book club get-togethers. Playing Pinochle and Bunco, were also some of her favorite activities with friends.

Jane was a long-time member of Bountiful Community Church.  She volunteered at the Bountiful Food Pantry for many years, which began in a small closet of the church in the 1980s.

Jane was a voracious reader, news junkie, crossword puzzle enthusiast, cat lover, Candy Crush crusher, Utah Jazz fanatic, tea lover, McDonald’s Diet Coke addict, clothes horse and everybody’s Facebook friend.

Grandma Jane was the touchstone of the family. Wherever her children and grandchildren were in the world, they always remained in constant contact with her and would reunite for any occasion.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; parents, Vernon Arthur and Thelma Stephens Gillies and many aunts and uncles.  Jane is survived by her two daughters, Suzy Kuperschmidt (Jeff), Phoenix, AZ and Julie Woodward (Mike) North Salt Lake, UT.  Grandchildren:  Sara Erickson (Sean) Cottonwood Heights, UT; Jordan Thomas, Los Angeles, CA; Portia Barna (Dillon), Phoenix, AZ; Alex Woodward (Daiquirri Street), Portland, OR. Great-grandsons, Payson and Theodore Barna, Phoenix, AZ.

The family wants to express their gratitude and love to Mike and Julie for the selfless care they gave to Grandma Jane.

"What a beautiful difference, one single, special life has made."

Funeral service will be held at Bountiful Community Church, 150 North 400 East on Friday, June 4, 2021, at 1:00 PM.   Friends may visit one hour prior.  The Reverend Robin Swope will officiate.  A graveside dedication will follow the service at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery in Bountiful, UT.

Services will be live-streamed by scrolling to the bottom of Jane’s obituary page at www.lindquistmortuary.com

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