Gayle Sudbury Draper

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Gayle Sudbury Draper, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her daughter’s home on April 10, 2024. She was born on October 2, 1946 in Murray, Utah to Charles and Genevieve Sudbury. Her most cherished memories were of growing up in Magna, Utah with her siblings and cousins, duck hunting, fishing, and making bread with her dad, sewing with her mom, and going to Yellowstone with her parents and siblings.

Gayle graduated from Cyprus High School in 1964 and went on to get her beautician license. She loved doing hair and became the best hairbender in town. She met the love of her life, Mern Draper, while he was serving in Vietnam. They married May 26, 1966 and together they had six children. Gayle was homeroom mom, cub scout den mother, primary teacher, and an amazing seamstress while her children were small. She loved and supported her children unconditionally, often times becoming mom to their friends as well. She accepted everyone. We are going to miss the conversations with mom telling us everything would be ok and to have faith in ourselves. Just hearing mom say that, made everything ok!

Gayle loved her fur babies. She took in many cats and dogs throughout her life. Sometimes you’d see a litter of kittens nestled in her lap or on the bed and she’d parent every one of them until they found a good home or grew old with her. At the time of her passing, she had 9 cats, the oldest being 16 years old, each holding a special place in her heart.

Her golden years were filled with being a grandma to 15 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many more grandchildren she adopted as her own. They were all the twinkle in her eyes! She was so proud of them and they all adored her funny, quick-witted humor!

Gayle is survived by her six children; Michael Draper, Brett Draper, Tina Draper Bullock, Rebecca (Shawn Williams) Draper, Christine (Ben) Jorgensen, and Jennifer Draper. 15 Grandchildren, 9 Great-Grandchildren. Sisters; Arlene Hopes, Janette (Dean) Sorensen; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mern Lee Draper, her parents, two sisters, and one brother.

“Lay your troubles on my shoulder, Put your worries in my pocket, Rest your love on me a while”

A viewing will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 10:00 am - Noon at Valley View Memorial Park & Funeral Home (4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120) followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 pm at the Magna Copper Park (8975 West 2600 South, Magna, Utah 84044) at the West Pavilion.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Shades Community Cats Sanctuary http://shadescommunitycatssanctuary.org (a Magna cat rescue)