Gaylyn Wright Allred passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 21, 2023, doing what she enjoyed most: spending time with her family. Gaylyn was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 21, 1947, to Thora May and Gerald Edwin Wright, Jr. She graduated from Skyline High School in 1965. The following year Gaylyn married her eternal companion, Bryce Dee Allred, in the Salt Lake Temple on July 29, 1966—she passed away one week shy of celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary.
Gaylyn worked as the executive secretary for the University of Utah Athletic Department. In this role, she helped manage the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Coaches Association, and she also coordinated the recruiting and communications for the University of Utah men’s basketball, swim, track and field, and wresting teams. She loved this job and made friends and contacts there that positively impacted her and her family’s life in the decades that followed.
Anyone that met Gaylyn knows that her family was the center of her entire universe. She always put her family before herself and maintained unwavering confidence in, endless support for, and a willingness to sacrifice anything to help her family. Nothing demonstrates this more than when Gaylyn willingly left her job, home, and everything she had ever known to move to Mexico in the summer of 1973 to support her husband who began medical school at the Autonoma University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Gaylyn loved her years in Mexico and gained many life-long friends there.
Once returning stateside, Gaylyn and her family lived in Southern California and Colorado as she continued supporting her husband as he pursued his surgical residencies. In 1982, Gaylyn and her family returned to Salt Lake City, where her husband finished his plastic surgery residency and fellowship at the University of Utah. Gaylyn and her family’s return to Salt Lake City was facilitated, in part, by her contacts and friends she made years prior while working at the University of Utah.
Gaylyn devoted her life to being a stay-at-home mother and homemaker—she was a master of her craft. She could cook gourmet meals from scratch, fix anything with a needle and thread, and organize a party at a moment’s notice. Gaylyn loved hosting parties and gatherings, and she graciously welcomed and fed many of her boys’ sports teams, members of her LDS ward(s) and stake(s), youth groups, neighbors, and family and friends. Her Thanksgiving Turkey Bowls will always be remembered by any who attended—much more so for the food than the football.
Gaylyn was blessed with innumerable talents. She loved to cook. She loved to quilt. She loved to shop. And she loved to travel. Gaylyn would regularly combine these joys and take trips with family and friends around the world in search of new fabrics, recipes, and treasures to decorate her home. She made hundreds of quilts over the last few decades, many of which were given to family and friends, neighbors, charities, and new mothers.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gaylyn had the privilege of serving in many capacities, allowing her to use her talents to touch and bless the lives of many in her community. She lovingly cared for her mother-in-law, Loene J. Allred; her mother; and her father in her home during their final months here on Earth (she is also preceded in death by her father-in law, Bryce Allred). Her love, loyalty, and compassion were undeniable. Her sons and their wives are saddened that they will never have the opportunity and gift to care for her the way they saw her care for so many.
All that knew or met Gaylyn will mourn and miss her dearly. She was kind, genuine, and cared for all those around her. There was no better mom, team mom, or homeroom mom than Gaylyn. She was viewed as a second mother by many, but only four boys have the privilege of calling her Mom: Brandon, Porter (Sara), Jordan (Cassi), and Parker (Alexandra). Gaylyn—or Gigi—was also a proud grandmother to fifteen grandchildren, all of whom she loved and adored. Her loving husband, Bryce Dee Allred, M.D, survives her. She is also survived by her younger sister, Wendy Taylor (Darron); younger brother, Randy Wright (Heidi); and many extended family members.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, August 5, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah at the LDS Valley View 14th chapel located at 3820 S. 2000 E., Salt Lake City, Utah 84124. Friends and family can visit on Friday evening, August 4, 2023, at the chapel from 6:00-8:00 pm and on Saturday morning, August 5, 2023, from 10:00-12:00 pm prior to the funeral. Gaylyn will be laid to rest at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the LDS missionary fund.
