Gayle Monson Hale

Gayle Monson Hale passed away peacefully in the early morning of August 19, 2020 at the age of 79. Her bright smile, kind heart, and optimistic attitude will be missed by all who knew her.
Gayle was born May 1, 1941 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Raymond Tracy Monson and Elese “Tweet” Hayes, the second of four children. She grew up in downtown Salt Lake on Bueno Avenue where she enjoyed a happy childhood with lots of friends.
Gayle was a good student at East High School where she excelled in various clubs and was involved in many school events. After high school, she enrolled at the University of Utah and earned her degree in Elementary Education. During this time she met a handsome cheerleader at the university named Bruce McKay Hale Jr.. After a lengthy courtship, Gayle and Bruce were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 6, 1963.
Gayle quickly found a job teaching kindergarten while Bruce attended the University of Utah Law school. Gayle loved little children, and continued to teach them throughout her life, not only as a kindergarten, preschool, and primary teacher, but also as a mother of 5, grandmother of 16, and great-grandmother of 4.
Gayle and Bruce lived together in Cottonwood Heights for 44 years until Bruce passed away in 2003. So many wonderful memories were made in that house and neighborhood, as she shared her light with all those around her. Her children and family have many fond memories of growing up and learning to live the gospel and to love Jesus Christ by following her example.
She loved to sing, and had a song for any occasion or subject. She enjoyed celebrating every holiday, and her home was always festively decorated to reflect that. If she had any moments of downtime, she would prefer to do puzzles of any kind (word, jigsaw, or Sudoku), play Tetris on the GameBoy, cheer on the Utah Jazz, or carry on her mother’s love for gardening outside. Gayle was a firm believer in reading to children, and could often be found with a grandkid or two on her lap looking at books. One of her favorite places to be was at her family cabin at Fish Lake. She spent many childhood summers at the lake and continued the tradition with her own kids as she got older. 
Gayle continued to live in her Cottonwood Heights home until 2014, at which time she moved in with her daughter, Becky Heumann, and her family. Most recently she was cared for at Sunrise of Sandy Memory Care. Her family is so grateful for the wonderful caregivers at Sunrise and from Inspiration Hospice. All who met her there noted her wonderful smile and happy demeanor. 
Gayle was preceded in death by her father Raymond Tracy Monson, mother Elese Hayes Monson, husband Bruce McKay Hale Jr., brother Kirk Monson, and grandson Justen Hale. She will be missed greatly by her siblings Ann Hardy and Tracy Monson. Her children Eric (Suzy), Evan (Crystal), Blake, Spencer (DeAnn), and Becky (Steven) Heumann are so happy that she can be at rest and see her many loved ones that have passed on before her. Her loving legacy will continue on with grandchildren Nicole (Jordan), Trevor (Kaitlyn), Jessica (Brandon), Ashley, Logan, Brooklyn, Max, Noah, Elese, Violet, Sam, Maggie, Olivia, Megan, and Dashel, as well as her four great-grandchildren Tyce, Lexi, Hayley, and Jace.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private viewing and funeral service for invited family and close friends only will be held on Saturday, August 22. The service will also be available to stream–please email gayleservice@halefire.com for the streaming link. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.