Gay Beesley Hanson

Gay Beesley Hanson 1931-2022

Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.

Gay was born June 15, 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the fifth of eight children.  She was raised in the East Millcreek area, and graduated from Granite High School in 1949 and then went to Utah State Agricultural College, where she met her husband and eternal companion, Max Lamont Hanson.  The were married when Max was on leave from Air Force Pilot Training on December 27, 1951 in the Logan Temple.

The new couple went to Enid, Oklahoma where Max earned his Jet Pilot wings and then moved to Albany, Georgia for several years.  They then moved back to Salt Lake City where they had two children, Stacey Gay and Sterling Max.  Shortly afterwards, they moved to Denver, Colorado where they enjoyed life and the gospel.  In 1976, they moved back to the Salt Lake City area, where they lived for the rest of their lives.

Gay was a devoted wife, mother, and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Her family and the gospel of Jesus Christ were the two most important things in her life.  She loved making birthdays and holidays special for her family.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Gay had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Serving in the church was a high priority in her life.  She was a woman of great faith and determination.  She served in Sunday School, Primary, MIA and Relief Society.  She also enjoyed the opportunity to travel with her husband when his work took him overseas, spending time in both Saudi Arabia and Korea.  After Max’s retirement, Hawaii was their favorite vacation destination.

Gay is preceded in death by her husband Max, parents William N. Sr. and Barbara Beesley, twin sisters Barbara (Wayne Kimball), Beverly (Wally Woodbury), brothers Bill Jr. (Hanna), Scott (Mary Alice), Ron (Vera), and Fred (Wendy).  She is survived by her sister Adalee (Bill) Muse and her children Stacey (Steve) Arnold, Sterling (Doreen) Hanson, grandchildren Linzey, Marisa, Holly and Eric, and five darling great-granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 21, 2022 at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah.  There will be viewings both Thursday night between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, and Friday morning from 9:45 to 10:45 AM.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary and Crematory Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory-105412734572327

Services will also be streamed under this obituary beginning at 11:00 AM on Friday.