Myrna Elaine Jones Gray

1932 ~ 2020

Obituary Photo for Myrna Elaine Jones Gray < >

Service:

Aug. 29, 2020
4:00 AM
1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy, UT 84092

Myrna died of cancer on August 19 as she hoped she would: at home, in her own bed, with all of her faculties and feistiness intact. She loved her family and friends, her dogs Annie and Ruby, her morning Salt Lake Tribune with coffee, and her nightly glass of Chardonnay.

Mom was born in Elko, Nevada on May 6, 1932 to Heber D. and Blanche S. Jones. She married Albert J. Gray in 1952 (later divorced). She is survived by her daughters Sherelynn Gray and Shauna Waters; son-in-law Rick Waters; grandchildren Nichole Free (James) and Brandon Waters; great-grandchildren Morgan Cowley and Michael Cowley (their father, Shaun); step-great-grandchildren Bethany, Ethan, and Kadee Free; sisters Marian Arthur and Marcia Swilor. She was preceded in death by her brother, H.D, her sister Melva Matley, and her son Michael Gray whose death in 1975 was the blow from which she never fully recovered.

After 38 years of service, Mom retired from Mountain Bell in 1987. She retired again in 1997 from the University of Utah’s Engineering Experiment Station. She started volunteer work at Cottonwood Hospital in 2001 and moved to IMC in 2007 where she spent the next 13 years doing the work she loved with friends she considered her second family.
Myrna was born in a depression and died during a pandemic. The first forged in her a lifelong commitment to hard work and a passion for doing her work well. The second robbed her of lunches, outings, and going to plays with friends. She felt that void.

We will always mourn the loss of this fiercely independent woman and will be grateful for her sacrifices and unconditional love. By example she instilled in her children an unwavering work ethic. Her values have inspired both her grandchildren and great grandchildren. We learned to be who we are by loving and admiring who she was.

A private graveside service for family will be held 10AM on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) in Sandy. Mom’s ashes will lie with her son. A celebration of this remarkable woman will come later when there will be no need to refrain from warm embraces.


Guestbook/Condolences

Sherry, your way with words are amazing and you have have made mom proud with writing this obituary. Myrna was everything you said and so much more. She was such a classy and beautiful lady inside and out. She lived her life with determination, dignity, sense of humor and with so much love for her family and friends. God bless this family she started with all of the strength and wonderful spirit she has passed along to all of us by example over the years. God speed Myrna and please give Mike extra hugs from all of us. Love, Rick


- Rick Waters

My heart goes out to family, friends and all who loved Myrna. I was lucky enough to volunteer with her at IMC and she was always fun, funny and a bit fiesty. My favorite memory will always be how she dressed up for Halloween. She knew how to have a good time! Myrna, I will miss you. RIP my sweet friend.


- Carla Wells

Our deepest sympathy from your fellow volunteers James and Dolores Garcia


- Dolores Garcia

Shauna & Sherri,

So sorry to hear about your Mom passing away. Shauna, I have so many memories of you from days gone by. . . Remember how you would come over before school and my Mom would do our hair up for the day and we would walk through Putnam’s field to Longview Elementary... remember birthday parties with you, Ricky, Diane and I. I remember Sherri and Mike were always so nice to me when I came over to play. . . and we had such fun playing! As we grew older our circle friends expanded but we will always be BFF’s. My heart goes out to you both at your loss - I hope the sorrow that fills your hearts can be replaced by happy memories of the past.

All my love,
Vilare 💕💗💕


- Vilare Jensen Michials