Leila Ann (Guay) Law

Leila Ann (Guay) Law, age 79, passed away November 10, 2024 in Draper, UT after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in New Hampshire to the beaming Grace and the wisecracking Chi Chi Guay, Leila grew up to the beautiful unchained melodies of a healing post-war New England in the Capraesque Laconia.

Following her active high school years, which revolved around academics, athletics, boyfriends, and cheerleading, Leila began her college years at the University of New Hampshire before transferring to Brigham Young University, where she earned a B.A. in History and Spanish, a M.Ed in Educational Psychology/Special Education and Counseling and stopped just a dissertation short of her Ph.D in Educational Psychology.

Leila brightened the minds and consoled the hearts of thousands of adolescents through her 51 years as a devoted professional educator and counselor. Above and related to that focus, she also served as the Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers-Utah, Regional Director of AFT national initiatives, Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Utah, President of the Granite Federation of Teachers, and too many department chair, strategic & advisory committee, state lobby, and task force positions to list.

She had a passion for neuroscience, particularly in its relation to behavioral science and human development. This contributed to her unique ability to connect with people on the deepest emotional level. She chose to use this talent to help people care for themselves more tenderly and to see with clear vision their singular worth in this world and the world beyond.

Vanity and ego were never part of the equation with her. She was known to become a little zany when it served an instructional or fun-loving purpose. Ever humble, she never sought the spotlight, choosing instead to shine it on everyone around her. Her praise was never shallow or generic. With a heart tuned to the smallest details and words that felt like a warm embrace, she gave the kind of compliments that made people feel truly seen and valued. She understood people deeply, noticing the hidden qualities that often went unrecognized, making each person feel uncommonly cherished. In her presence, you felt known, and the world seemed a little brighter just because she was in it.

New Hampshire was her first home and Utah was her second, but she loved traveling and was fortunate to experience many lands both near and far, exchanging parts of her soul with theirs. This enriched her perspective beyond the average human, and enhanced her inexhaustible wisdom.

Her travels often targeted spectacular water destinations of the globe. But whether raging ocean or sea of tranquillity, whether roaring river or gentle brook, none would compare to her first and foremost aquatic love, Lake Winnipesaukee.

Her 54-year marriage to J.R. produced 5 children who were the primary recipients of her elevated lessons and love and the investment of all her free time. She kept it quiet from the world, but she held the superpower ability to bend time. Through all of her professional and academic pursuits, she never missed a game, a play, a drama competition or any other contest her children participated in. To this day no one knows how she did it.

Preceded in death by her husband John R. Law, her brother Dennis Guay, and her aforementioned parents Grace Carignan Guay (Nanny) and Arthur Omer Peter Joseph Chi Chi Red Guay.

She is survived by her five children Angela Larsen Mollerup (Mike Mollerup), Jennifer Rollins (Joshua Rollins), Jon Law (Alyson Law), Rebekah Law, and Michael Law (Nicole Law), brother Roger Guay, sister Terry Martel, and 12 grandchildren.

Children from her husband’s prior marriage, Marie Swift, Paul Law, Norman Law, Raymond Law, and Heather Lemon, also shared parts of this life with Leila and she loved them as her own.

She was loyal, brave, strong, compassionate, brilliant, sincere, inspirational, and in a single word: beautiful. There will never be another Mama Louie.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1911 E. Gray Fox Drive, Draper, UT. Viewings will be held on Monday, November 18,  from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, November 19, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the same location. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Lake Hills Memorial Mortuary & Cemetery, 10055 S State St, Sandy, UT.