Eileen Gray VanKomen

Eileen Gray VanKomen passed away on June 2, 2020, at St. Marks Hospital due to Sepsis. Eileen was born on August 9, 1944, to Edith and Leroy Gray. Married John W. VanKomen in 1961, later had two children Joni & John John.

Eileen was a kind, independent woman. She worked very hard throughout her life. It was important to her and John that they were able to provide opportunities and enjoyment for their children. She made many sacrifices, with no regrets. She was proud of her family and their accomplishments. We will forever appreciate all of the wonderful things she did for us. She liked to be busy and never sit idle. She liked to gamble, travel, fish, craft, sew, scrapbook, and organize things.

She had many careers throughout her life, from The Mop Shop, cleaning apartments with her sister Linda and ending her working career after working 15 years for Kelly Services. She enjoyed her time at Kelly as a recruiter and later working with her daughter hiring and training substitute teachers. She enjoyed her co-workers and the many people she hired and worked with.

The greatest gift she was given in life was her Grandchildren. Each of them held a special place in her heart. They all have many memories of the fun times spent with grandma and gramps. Handmade Halloween costumes, scrapbooks, above the ground pool, sandbox, crafts, holidays, and vacations. As young kids they all enjoyed pets, any pet that their parents would not have in their homes were welcome at Grandma’s. At one time they had multiple pets; each kid had their own requests and they were granted. Lizard, bird, duck, chicken, turtles, fish, hedgehog, hamsters, just to name a few. Over the years she spent countless hours putting the memories into thoughtfully put together scrapbooks. The kids looked forward to receiving them on Birthdays and Christmas. This was the best gift she could have given. They will be forever grateful to have them to look back and smile at all the wonderful times we spent together as a family and the wonderful times spent with their Grandma.

Eileen was feisty, energetic and always spoke what was on her mind. We always reminded her that some things are better left unsaid, but this did not stop her. We have many stories to look back and laugh about. She dealt with many health issues, but always tried to make the best of it. Her independent nature often kept her from asking for help, oftentimes we would find out she had been using drills, saws, hammers or climbing on ladders, which in many cases did not end with a positive outcome, but rather with some type of injury to her.

Eileen leaves behind what she treasured most; her daughter, Joni Prokopis, - who she could never properly teach how to sew or craft, her favorite son-in-law Tedd – who she appreciated the many things he always did for her. Her Grandchildren Johnny Prokopis, Mikelle VanKomen, Taylor Prokopis, Kaitlin VanKomen & Nicole VanKomen – she loved supporting them at all their activities, and appreciated when they spent time with her, she got enjoyment from them texting her pictures, which kept her involved in their lives. She was very proud of each of them. Also survived by her sister and best friend Linda Kone, sister Kathy Smith, Brothers Don, and Stan Gray. She always looked forward to time spent at Flaming George with Stan & Linda. She loved her family dearly, even though we always kept her on her toes. She is preceded in death by her son John John VanKomen, who she adored & left her too soon and the most amazing husband and father John VanKomen as well as her parents, Edith and Leroy Gray.

A private graveside service for family and close friends will be held Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 at 2:30 PM. Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, UT.