Gloria Ann Evans Dawson Deyhle passed away peacefully at her home in South Jordan, Utah, on June 29, 2026, surrounded by the loving embrace of her family after a courageous five-and-a-half-year battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Gloria was born on November 19, 1951, in Berkeley, California, to Gordon and Lois Evans. She was the second of four children and spent her formative years in Walnut Creek, California, where she developed the creativity, determination, and vibrant spirit that would define her life.
A graduate of Ygnacio Valley High School’s Class of 1969, Gloria initially planned to attend UC Berkeley but felt inspired to choose a different path. She moved to Provo, Utah, to attend Brigham Young University, where she studied fashion and textile design, beginning a lifelong pursuit of beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship.
While attending BYU, Gloria met Donovan Howard Dawson. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Oakland California Temple on January 28, 1971. Together they built a loving family and welcomed their first daughter, Andrea Elizabeth, in December 1971, followed by Haley Ann in February 1975, Cameron Stuart in November 1978, and, to everyone’s surprise, identical twin daughters Lesley Ann and Allison Camille in May 1984.
Tragedy struck later that year when Don passed away in a hiking accident. Through her faith, strength, and devotion to her children, Gloria carried her family forward with grace and determination.
Years later, Gloria met Kenneth Chris Deyhle at a Single Adult activity. Their friendship blossomed into love, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 7, 1989. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and service.
One of Gloria’s greatest joys was being a grandmother. Known affectionately as “Gigi,” a nickname that began as shorthand for Grandma Gloria and quickly became beloved by all, she treasured every moment spent with her “precious darlings.” Gigi was endlessly generous with her time, attention, and love. Whether attending events, sharing traditions, offering encouragement, or simply spending time together, her grandchildren always knew how deeply they were cherished.
There seemed to be nothing Gloria could not do. She confidently tackled projects with power tools, built and reupholstered furniture, created beautiful crafts, and designed stunning interiors of her home and landscapes in her garden. She transformed ordinary spaces into works of art. For Gloria, crafting was both a creative outlet and a form of therapy. She often said, “You can do anything with gloves and the right tool,” a saying that reflected her practical wisdom and can-do spirit. She believed that accomplishing something often started with simply being willing to begin.
Gloria and Ken devoted their retirement years to service. Together they participated in humanitarian efforts and missionary work, serving for ten years as full-time stay-at-home inner-city missionaries in Salt Lake City Mission. Gloria also contributed her talents to preparing LDS temples for open houses and worked as a decorative painter, applying gold leaf in the Salt Lake Temple.
Her generosity extended beyond her church service. Gloria lovingly designed and donated 21 unique Christmas trees to the Festival of Trees, benefiting Primary Children’s Hospital. Each tree reflected months of planning and creativity and became a gift of love and compassion to countless families.
In 2017, Gloria and Ken moved from their longtime home in Holladay to Daybreak in South Jordan to be closer to family. There, Gloria created what many considered a spectacular garden, earning Yard of the Month honors three times. She claimed all flowers were her favorites, but she held a special fondness for roses and hydrangeas. Her garden, like her life, was vibrant, beautiful, and lovingly cultivated.
In January 2021, Gloria was diagnosed with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. Though her cancer was never considered cured, she faced every challenge with remarkable courage, optimism, and faith. In December 2023, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread to her brain. In 2024 they found the cancer had also invaded her spinal fluid and the membrane surrounding her brain. Doctors initially gave her only weeks to live without treatment. Gloria chose to fight, enduring aggressive proton radiation and chemotherapy with her characteristic determination. She went on to surpass every prognosis by more than two years. Her physicians often praised her positive attitude, strong faith, and healthy lifestyle, all of which contributed to her extraordinary resilience.
Gloria’s life was a beautiful example of faith, creativity, service, and unconditional love. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to bless the lives of all who knew her.
She is survived by her siblings, Ronald (Susan) Evans, Douglas (Jody) Evans, and Nancy Palmer (Gordon); her children, Scott Deyhle, Andrea Powell (David), Haley Beach (Steven), Cameron Dawson (Victoria), Lesley Dawson, and Allison Dawson; her ten beloved grandchildren, Keaton (Ariella) Deyhle, Jaiden (Malaki) Coonradt, Valerie Dawson, Ashley Beach, Evan Powell, Aaron Beach, Jack Powell, Lauren Powell, Catherine Powell, and Vivia Dawson; and her two great-grandchildren, Skyler Deyhle and Kailani Coonradt.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Lois Evans, and her husbands, Donovan Howard Dawson and Kenneth Chris Deyhle.
Funeral Services will be held on July 7, 2026, at 4842 West Vermillion Drive, South Jordan, Utah 84009. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will take place at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute for their compassionate care, dedication, and support throughout Gloria’s fight against cancer.
