Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, maker of friends, and collector of strays—both furry and human—Gay S Westenskow of Clifton, CO, left this earthly plane on Thursday, March 5, 2026 after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. At the age of 84, Gay left this world surrounded by her favorite things—her family.

Gay was the youngest of six children and born in Escalante, UT, on March 4, 1942 to Neta Spencer and her adopted father Joe Pollock. Gay is survived by her devoted husband and best friend of 50 years, Wally; her loving children: Tammy Young (Blake); Bobby Scott; Dona Gilbert (John); Denise Capps (Tony); her adoring grandchildren—her biggest fans—Allysa, Michael, Cameron, and Julie; her great grandchildren Alex and Ellyn; and her older sister Shirlene. She was predeceased by her other siblings.

Gay was a woman of quiet service, finding her deepest value in caring for others—it was her language of love. An extraordinary cook, she could conjure feasts from humble ingredients, nourishing her family and any stray who wandered in. Her Mexican dishes and spaghetti sauce were legendary. She took great joy and pride knowing all of her children found love in cooking learned at her side. Her talents extended to exquisite cross-stitch and sewing, creations that warmed homes and hearts alike. While holding various jobs to support her loved ones, Gay maintained a spotless home that radiated her pride. Her beloved roses, blooming vibrantly each spring, drew admirers from far and wide, mirroring the joy she cultivated in life. But perhaps her greatest delight was in laughter and silliness, especially shared with family, a light that shone even in her final hours. Just hours before her death, she was found laughing at a silly song remembered from her childhood and telling her family funny stories about her uncle. Those who knew her best will forever picture her full, beautiful smile, sparkling eyes, and the way she'd dissolve into giggles midway through a funny story. Through it all, Gay gifted us the art of embracing life's absurdities—to laugh at ourselves first and cherish those shared, embarrassing moments.

Merely listing those Gay leaves behind falls short of capturing the vibrant family she wove together. Like her cherished cross-stitch, she crafted a tapestry of love, threading it through every life she touched. She became a mother to every child her own brought home, a caregiver to those adrift on holidays, opening her heart and hearth to anyone in need of belonging. In her eyes, strangers were simply friends unmet, and though illness may have dimmed her physical presence in recent years, her heart remained boundless for all she embraced.

For those of us who held her closest, how can we possibly encapsulate the depth of our sorrow? How to convey the ache of never savoring her meals again? The void of no more camping adventures under the stars? The quiet loss of a life where she always placed her loved ones first, herself a distant second? Or the silence where her heartfelt “I love you” once echoed, laced with unwavering truth? We've all felt those delicate stitches of love she used to bind us—connected by fragile threads, yet forged into an unbreakable bond of immeasurable devotion.

Gay’s memorial service information follows:

Where: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Fruitvale Ward); 3076 E 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504. Date: March 11, 2026 @ 1PM

Rest in peace, dear Gay. “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” — Mosiah 2:17

Gay’s spirit endures in the love she shared. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Community Hospital, which cared for her with love and kindness until the end. (https://yourcommunityhospital.com/donate)