Gaye Peddycoart

Gaye Eichbauer Peddycoart; wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend lost her battle with Alzheimer’s and COVID, passing January 25, 2021 at 83 years old. Gaye leaves behind a legacy full of life, laughter and fun.
Gaye was born to Lucille Done Eichbauer and Edward Myron Eichbauer on March 24, 1937 in Salt Lake City, the third of nine children. She is survived by her son, Gainer Waldbillig (Jami) and daughter, Jill Waldbillig; with grandchildren Trygg Waldbillig (Emily), Elke Opsahl, Hayley Waldbillig, and Blair Waldbillig. Gaye’s siblings include Stormy Skidmore, Art Eichbauer and Bruce Eichbauer. She was preceded in death by siblings Elaine Burton, Carolee Kelly, Steve Eichbauer, Kent Eichbauer, and Mike Eichbauer.
Gaye often recounted the love and hardships of a young family forced to cope with the accidental death of their father. She held great respect for her mother who, with the help of family and community, raised nine talented, educated, and respected children. Work ethic, responsibility, and comradery became early lessons for a family placed in difficult financial and emotional circumstances. The can-do attitude of the young Gaye Eichbauer emerged from these stresses with a cheerfulness and generosity that were mainstays throughout her life.
In 1983, Gaye married her love, Lee Richard (Dick) Peddycoart, a true gentleman whose unassuming charm and wit made for an amusing contrast to Gaye’s high energy humor. Sadly, Dick passed away just this past June after 37 years of marriage; a difficult transition for Gaye whose bond with Dick made them inseparable. Rarely one without the other, Gaye often called themselves “twinnies.” She delighted in coordinating their clothes with matching colors, a practice he tolerated with a good-natured shrug. Gaye was a loving and energetic grandmother to the little ones who frequented their home, with Dick’s help in managing chaos. Fond and lasting memories will remain, with thanks to them both. Those closest to Gaye know her interests were many, with beauty salons, shopping, and travel being chief among them. Gaye and Dick traveled the world together, visiting Europe, Africa, South Korea, Australia, and many more, collecting mementos along the way.
Gaye was a proud child of the Avenues in Salt Lake City and attended West High School and the University of Utah. She proved versatile, holding positions of High School PE Teacher, Office Manager in the medical field, and later made a formidable pair with her husband, Dick, in real estate for over 20 years. Among her recognitions, Gaye was awarded “1995 Member of the Year” by the Utah Women’s Council of Realtors, and inducted into Omega Tau Rho, the national honorary fraternity for realtors.
Due to COVID, graveside services will be held at a time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Gaye’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association Utah. https://www.alz.org/utah