Shirley Ann Read Gillies

Our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Shirley Ann Read Gillies passed away Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the age of 74, due to complications from a stroke.
Shirley was born July 19 1942 in Twin Falls Idaho, the first of three children to Ray and Hannah Read. For most of her childhood, she called a farm in Kimberly, Idaho home until 1960 when she graduated from Kimberly High School.
In July of that same year, she turned 18 years old and around that same time, her mother found out about a few girls who were going to move to Salt Lake City Utah. She thought it would be a good opportunity for Shirley as well.  However, Shirley did not share that opinion. One day, to Shirley’s surprise, a car was there to pick her up. Even more surprising, she was all packed and ready to go. She agreed to go, but said she would never move back to Idaho. Then her mom helped her into the car and she was off on her new adventure, and being true to her word, she has called Salt Lake City her home ever since.
About a year after arriving in Salt Lake, she met and married her “Elvis” Ned Arvel Rush. During their 13 year, marriage they had 3 wonderful daughters: Michelle (Mikie); Tina (Bopper); and Tanya (Toni).  They later divorced.
She met John Gillies Sr. in July of 1977 while working at Century Equipment, and later they married. Shirley worked over 40 years at Century and loved every minute. She considered all her coworkers family.
Shirley was very talented in many ways. She loved to scrapbook, crochet, and to do her plastic canvas. She won several ribbons at the county and state fairs. She loved hosting baby showers, birthday parties and catered many different events, even if she did not attend them. Well known for her deviled eggs and Sloppy Joes.
She was a tough, but kind and loving woman, who was always there to help those she loved and those they loved.
Preceded in death by her husband John Gillies Sr., parents Ray and Hannah Read, Sister Ginger Hoover and her husband Wayne, daughter Tina Rush Diamond.
Survived by daughters: Michelle (Rich) Vuksinick; Toni Rush; son-in-law, Tom Diamond; stepchildren: Jerrie (Dick) Beeler and Jim Gillies; granddaughters Andi and Dayna Vuksinick; and Randi Diamond, as well as many extended family and friends.
Service Information
Viewing April 20, 2017 at 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Memorial Deseret Mortuary, 36 East 700 South, Salt Lake City, UT





Viewing April 20, 2017 at 10:00 - 10:45 AM
Memorial Deseret Mortuary, 36 East 700 South, Salt Lake City, UT





Funeral Service
April 20, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Memorial Deseret Mortuary, 36 East 700 South, Salt Lake City, UT