Veda L. Gillespie died at the age of 90 on December 26th, 2015, ten days before her 91st birthday. She was a small town girl from a big family and was always proud of her heritage and her life with five sisters and one brother. She adored her father, John Edward Lythgoe. He was a consummate businessman, a gentleman farmer and Stake President. Veda was proud of her Mormon heritage which she garnered from her father\s influence. From her mother Annie Johnson Lythgoe, Veda inherited a love for homemaking and cooking and she thrived as a housewife/mother. She loved life with her sisters, she was a U of U student and a child of the 40\s complete with big band music and dancing. Veda married Frank Skoubye Gillespie after his return from World War ll. They spent 60 wonderful years together on Laird Dr. with their two children Nannette and Frank. Veda and Frank had many friends and enjoyed a strong social life. Frank suffered a head injury in a car accident at the age of 45. He suffered accident related problems for the rest of his life. Veda was his caretaker until the end of his life 42 years later. She accepted her role with dignity for the love of her husband. After Frank\s accident she went to work at the U of U Medical Center. She retired after 20 years employed as the office manager for the Social Work department. Veda enjoyed golf, bridge and luncheons with her girlfriends. She was a member of the Bonneville Golf Course Women\s Association for many years. Words to describe our mother are beautiful, fun loving, hard working and strong willed. She is survived by two sisters Gayanne Hardenburg and Kae Markel, her two children Frank and Nanette, her grand children, Chris Alvey, Pat Alvey, (Polina) Ryan Gillespie. Dana Alvey Larsen (Jay Larsen), Thomas Gillespie (Amy) and Nick Alvey. She is the great grandmother of Neve Alvey, Finn Larsen, Ryan Alvey, Ella Larson and Savannah Gillespie. We will always love you and will never forget all you have contributed to our lives, mother.
Funeral services will be held January 5th, 1:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, SLC, UT. There will be a visitation from 12-1 PM. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
