Til We Meet Again, Gayle Morawetz

Our dear Sister Gayle Morawetz - wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, school teacher, real estate agent, college professor, board chair, missionary and world traveler - passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at her home in West Valley City surrounded by those she loved most in the world.  

Born 85 years ago in Rock Springs, WY, Gayle was the youngest of 9 children. She later moved to Salt Lake City where she graduated from Cyprus High School then attended Utah State University attaining a degree in education, and eventually a Master’s Degree from Brigham Young University. While attending USU she met and married the love of her life, Francis E Morawetz.  Gayle and Fritz were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple.

She taught at Cyprus Jr. High in Granger, UT for 5 years while also learning the real estate business, but traded time with her students and her studies for her children after the birth of her daughter Kristin and two years later twins – daughter Kim and son Kirk. She loved being a mother, grandmother to 12 grands and now 21 greats. 

After 5 years at home with her young family, Gayle returned to the classroom, beginning a 22-year career at Salt Lake Community College. She attained full professorship, a status very unusual for a woman in those times. She served in many capacities in the LDS church and after retirement served a mission on Temple Square with Fritz. Gayle also served as a valued member in many medical specialty boards and enjoyed serving as board chairperson at Pioneer Valley Hospital for many years. Gayle enjoyed traveling and was privileged to travel the world with Fritz and their many good friends and family members.

In 2002, Gayle and Fritz decided to relocate to beautiful St. George where they made many friends who mean so much to them. Gayle will be missed by all who knew and loved her. But, we know she was warmly welcomed as she passed through the veil into the arms of those who went before her.

She has been laid to rest next to her grandmother in the small, old-fashioned cemetery located in Richmond, UT.

Young Women of Excellence 2018

B7 Ward’s amazing young women celebrated an Evening of Excellence on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.  This very special night featured a display of each young woman’s interests and hobbies with a theme of “Take Flight in the Light.”  

Speakers included Sage Wilkes who shared the importance of writing thank you notes to those who have done good things on her behalf.  

Melissa Larson talked about the lessons she learned in completing her 10-hour project.  Part of her assignment was to interview someone about their career.  Her choice among all those she could have chosen? Her mother Rebecca. 

Nathalie Bradbury shared her love for the Book of Mormon testifying it is part of God’s plan to bring His children to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

YW President Annie Green gave high praise to the girls who came up with the theme and the decorations on their own.  “They inspire me and are the future of the Church,” she said, as she shared a quote from President Spencer W. Kimball who said, “Much of the major growth coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world … will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.”

Brother Mike Foley expressed his love and admiration for “these beautiful young people who are making right choices, developing their talents including all the things you are doing to let your light take flight.”  He shared an experience of finding a bird which had flown into their sliding glass door and reminded the girls, “in life, you’re going to run into glass doors occasionally and when that happens, please allow others to help you through your pain … your parents, teachers and Church leaders are ready and willing to help you!”

Several of the young women - Grace Christensen, Olivia Kerr, Melissa Larson, Traci Clem, Makissa Peterson, Martha Bown, with Sister Katie Christensen conducting – performed a musical number.  Andrea Brown prepared the program in the form of an origami dove.  Delicious refreshments created by Sally and Meg Frazier were served following the program.

It was a beautiful evening for our beautiful Young Women.