Gaylene Byers

Gaylene Byers

March 20, 1953 - February 3, 2017

Our beloved wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on Friday, February 3, 2017 after complications of juvenile diabetes.

She was born in Glendale, CA on March 20, 1953 to Dwight and LuRue Stevenson.  While growing up in West Covina, CA, she enjoyed staying active by playing tennis, volleyball, basketball, and many other sports.  She even won an archery championship. In her teens she met a young man serving his mission in her ward. After a 3 year long distance relationship through love letters, she married Thomas E. Byers in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on June 26, 1971.  They would have celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary this June.

Gaylene had a strong desire to start their family early in their marriage, but struggled for many years to have children.  They were finally blessed with 3 boys: Austin, Billy, and Dave.  During the first part of their marriage they lived many places. They had a few homes around Utah, in Monongahela, PA, and in Colorado Springs, CO.  They decided to settle in Layton, UT where they have spent the last 33 years.  Her crowning achievement has been her 3 sons who have all received educations, served full time missions, and were married in the temple to beautiful and worthy young ladies.  She has been blessed with 9 grandchildren. She enjoyed watching them grow and celebrate their achievements.

Gaylene remained an active member of the LDS church serving in many callings including Young Women’s president, ward librarian, nursery, and several positions in the Relief Society. She loved her time singing in the ward choir. Gaylene touched many lives including a friend, Dona Martin, she met while in Jr. High. She gave Dona a Book of Mormon with her testimony written in the cover.  Just two years ago Dona reached out to thank Gaylene for her gift, which had introduced her to the gospel.  She had joined the church years after receiving the Book of Mormon while she was attending college at SMU.  In turn, Dona’s testimony brought many others to the gospel including her five children and mother.  All of Dona’s children served full time missions for the church.

Gaylene had many talents and interests. She loved spending time with family, traveling, sewing, painting, calligraphy, and other crafts. She was a great homemaker and a wonderful cook.  Along with selling her crafts at a local craft store, her other jobs included working at SPS,  running a daycare out of her home, and as a bank teller. Most recently she retired after 17 years as the Head Secretary at Central Davis Jr. High.  She enjoyed her time at the school, and touched the lives of many students.

Gaylene’s adult life was affected by diabetes.  Her illness prevented her from doing many of the things she loved.  Our family is grateful for the additional 15 years we were able to spend with Gaylene because of the gift of a kidney given to her by her loving sister Valerie Smith.

Gaylene is survived by her husband, Tom; 3 sons, Austin (Marlynn), Bill (Tori), and Dave (Shari); 9 grandchildren: Liv, Jack, Aubrey, Bo, Luke, Casen, Jake, Jane, and Max; her brother, Brent, and sister Valerie (Mark) Smith. Preceded in death by her mother, LuRue; and sister-in-law, Chris.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 11 a.m., at the Northridge LDS Stake Center, 2375 East 3225 North, Layton, UT. Friends may visit with family, Monday, February 6, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd. and prior to services on Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Farmington City Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com