Gay Jackson Hawkins

Gay Jackson Hawkins, 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, November 10, 2025. Gay was born to Elizabeth Charlotte Jones Jackson and Loran Jackson in Randolph, Utah, the second youngest of four daughters. Her parents named her Gay because she was a happy baby that never cried.

Gay is survived by her sister Norma, her children, Kevin and Lorna; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sisters Drue and Beulah, her parents and her son, Jeff.

Graveside service will be held on Tuesday November 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092. Immediately following the graveside service will be a celebration of life and a light luncheon in the Greenhouse Event Center at Larkin.

Gay lived a long and rich life, full of achievement, love, challenge, and adventure. Her greatest accomplishment was her three children, whom she raised, with help from her family, as a divorced single mother. Gay was multifaceted and enjoyed many hobbies and activities. She played tennis with a group of friends until she was in her 70’s. Other activities she enjoyed include bowling, riding bikes, long walks, and playing golf. For leisure she loved reading, doing puzzles, watching tennis, and seeing musicals and operas.

Over the course of her life, Gay experienced two great loves, beginning with her partnership with Doug Elkins and, in later years, with Lew Neilsen. These men brought joy and adventure to Gay. They shared travels, dancing, and fishing. Gay was an accomplished angler, known to out-fish many a man. Lew and Gay shared many memories at Gay’s favorite place, Lew’s cabin at Christmas Meadows.

To her family, Gay was a force of nature. She will be remembered for her emotional strength, independence, razor sharp wit, and her prolific organizational skills. Gay also loved to plan and host and was incredible at it. Her favorite event was the annual family Christmas dinner where she served her famous clam chowder and frog eye salad.

Gay showed everybody how to age gracefully. Throughout the years and various medical and life challenges, she remained a joyful, fun, lovely person to share time with. She loved her family fiercely and loyally. The impression she has left will be lasting and cherished. When Gay crossed the veil, she surely was greeted by a crowd of excited family and friends who departed this world before her. She was one of a kind and will be loved and missed, always.