Gayla M Stone

Gayla Maxine Stone died of complications after heart surgery on Thursday, September 10, 2026. She passed away peacefully, with her family, at St. Anthony Central Hospital, in Lakewood, at the age of 92. Gayla was born on July 30, 1934, in Poplar Branch, North Carolina to Pinnell and Nell (Mills) Griggs. She grew up in Poplar Branch on the Griggs family farm, with deep family roots in Currituck County, attending W.T. Griggs School from first grade to high school graduation, so close to her home she could dash to class when she heard the warning bell.

Gayla graduated from Duke University School of Nursing, travelling west to Denver, Colorado, with four of her classmates, and four jobs secured at Colorado General Hospital. When crossing the Mississippi by ferry, Gayla and her girlfriends met the kind couple from Arvada who would introduce three of the four girls to their future husbands. From this moment on the river, Gayla was fated to spend the next 52 years with her soon-to-be best friend, Gordon L. "Lee" Stone. Gayla and Lee married in 1959.

Her love for nursing was real, but short-lived. With her first child on the way, she chose to dedicate herself to family. Then, in 1971, with two children in elementary school, she raised her hand to be President of Vanderhoof PTA, which launched a 30-year career in child advocacy. She held many leadership positions within PTA, including President at the local, county and Colorado state levels. She gained a reputation as a dynamic leader, trainer and advisor in PTA, ultimately serving on the National PTA Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

At age 66, when thoughts normally shift to retirement and slowing down, Gayla set her sights on becoming a Certified Registered Parliamentarian, a third career that would continue to fuel her desire to advise, mentor and give back to others. As parliamentarian, she served many non-profit organizations, including PTA and Foothills Genealogical Society, well into her 80s. From nursing to child advocacy to parliamentarian, her life's work was varied, but the common thread was her desire to help others interwoven with the importance of a strong family and empowered children.

As a mother, aunt, grandmother and grand aunt, she inspired others, including her family, by example. Her adventure travel with Lee in the 80s and 90s set the tone for many grand family vacations to come later. After exhausting all corners of Colorado, North Carolina and the United States, Gayla and Lee sailed the Caribbean for three years, living on their 40-foot sloop, Circle S. This led to Europe, Central and South America, Africa, Asia and Borneo, where Gayla and Lee with their guide, motored upriver in a dugout canoe, then trekked through the jungle to be the second party of white westerners ever to be welcomed to a certain Dayak village deep in the interior. Later in life, and into her 90s, she particularly enjoyed traveling with her grandchildren. An avid birder, many trips were focused on birds and wildlife. If you knew Gayla, you were prepared to take a break from your busy day, to listen to a story or two of the many places she visited and many people she met along the way. Ask any of her family and they will be able to repeat many of these stories. Just a small piece of the legacy she leaves behind.

Although she never lost touch with her roots, in her later years, Gayla returned to her childhood home, spending a majority of her time in Poplar Branch. She enjoyed greater access to her closest relatives, college and childhood friends. This change completed the circle from Poplar Branch to Arvada and back. And she drew strength from her Currituck community.

Gayla is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Stanley and Joyce Griggs, son and daughter-in-law Jeff & Patti Stone, daughter and son-in-law Becky & Steve Roche, grandsons Forrest & Graham Stone, Ian & Trevor Roche and numerous nieces and nephews. Please send memorial contributions to National Audubon Society, your local Audubon chapter, and Colorado PTA. A gathering and celebration of her life will be held at The Pavilion at Crown Hill Cemetery on Friday, October 9 at 11 AM.