Ruth Mae Breeze Gilley

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Ruth Mae Breeze Gilley passed away peacefully at home, with family, on December 22, 2020, just three hours prior to her 96^th birthday.  She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.

Ruth was born December 23, 1924 in Granger, Utah to Leon Clarence and Rhea Adell Carlisle Breeze.  She was the youngest graduate (and the smallest at 5’1”) in the class of 1942 from Granite High School, where she loved mathematics.  During WWII she worked at Camp Kearns in the Administration Department.  Ruth married Charles Gilley, a member of the United States Marines, when he returned stateside on October 14^th, 1944.  They lived their first couple of years of marriage in San Francisco, California while Charles finished his military responsibility and Ruth worked at the Marine Depot of Supplies.

Once all her six children were in school, Ruth started nursing school at Salt Lake Community College and graduated as an LPN in 1969, after which she was hired as a nurse at Cottonwood Hospital.  She retired in 1985 after 16 years of service and then volunteered another 15 years at Cottonwood/Heritage Center taking blood pressures for the elderly.

Ruth joined a bowling league (originally the Taylorettes then the Pin-up girls) in 1964.  She continued to bowl until the league was dissolved in March 2020 due to COVID-19, even though she had macular degeneration and was 100% blind in one eye.  All week, she looked forward to Friday morning bowling.

Ruth loved travelling.  She and Charles visited more than 174 countries and islands, many more than once.  To the end, she could remember all the cities they had visited, the year, and the name of the tour guides.  Even though her body had grown old and tired, her mind was still as sharp as anyone much younger.

Ruth said she “had a good life, had a career she loved, and was able to travel the world.”  She is survived by her children:  Sandy (Frank) Campbell, Keith (Kathy) Gilley, Becky (Kurt) Allgaier, Bobbie (Jack) Elmer and Deon Gilley.  She is preceded in death by her husband Charles, daughter Elaine Boccagno and three grandsons:  Ryan Allgaier, Abri Joe Gilbert and Kerry Gilley.  Ruth is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank nurse Jamie Miller from Harmony Home Health & Hospice for her compassionate care.  A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 28^th from 5:00p to 7:00p at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, where friends and family may pay their respects.  Masks and social distancing are required.  Due to the limitations caused by the COVID-19 virus the funeral will be a private family service with a zoom link available.  This will be held on December 28^th at 1:00p at the following link: https://vimeo.com/494204611

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