Mary Elizabeth Gay

Mary was born on August 18, 1923, in Logan, Utah to Wilbur Evans Thain and Elizabeth Sutton. Her great grandparents were among the original pioneer settlers of Logan. As a young girl she moved with her parents to Los Angeles, California. She was the oldest of four siblings which included a brother and two sisters. After high school she attended Brigham Young University where she met and later married Frank William (Bill) Gay. They were married on February 23, 1944 and sealed in the Salt Lake temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mary and Bill were blessed with five children whom they raised in Los Angeles. She was a loving, kind, and devoted mother. Her goodness was felt by all. Her home was a welcomed and sought out gathering place for family, friends, and visitors. Mary was also loved and active within her community. She served on the local PTAs, at church, and in the Cub and Girl Scouts. She also served as a leader in the National Charity League and devotedly supported her husband, Bill, who was the CEO for Howard Hughes’ holding company in charitable outreach at multiple organizations across hospitals, universities and within their business, media, and Church communities.

Mary loved to play the piano, dance, was a skilled seamstress and cook, and a world class photographer. She travelled the globe to capture rare and unique photos of nature, wildlife, people and ancient ruins. After Bill retired, they settled in Houston, Texas and later bought a second home in Naples, Florida where she lived until her death.

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, daughter, Kathy, her brother Bud, and sister, June. She is survived by her youngest sister, Phyllis Heim, her sons Bill and Bob and their wives Rose and Lynette, her daughter Leslie and her husband, Chris Burley, her daughter Alissa and her husband Scott. Mary is also blessed with 17 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren as living descendants.

The family will hold a private memorial service on Saturday, February 11, 2023, in Salt Lake City, at a local chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mary will then be laid to rest at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary.