Vera Giles Gifford

Our beloved Mother and Grandmother Vera Lucille Giles Gifford has gone home!

On September 16, 1934, Vera came into this world fighting for her own breath as Vera was presumed dead. Surrounded by family, Vera passed peacefully from this life after fighting for breath following a struggle against Covid related Pneumonia on January 20, 2022, in Layton, Utah at the age of 87.

Vera was the first child born to Allen Merlin Giles and Oca Lela Davis in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a child Vera lived for a short time in San Antonio but grew up in Oklahoma City. At the age of 13 Vera moved with her family to Salt Lake City, Utah. As a young teenager attending South High School in Salt Lake City, Vera was introduced to a young man 8 years older, Ashton Grover Gifford. After waiting four years for her to “grow up” they were married on May 17, 1953, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were later sealed together in the Salt Lake City Temple.

As a young mother and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints Vera was asked to serve as the Genealogy instructor in their ward. Not knowing what Genealogy was, Vera immediately began studying and immersed herself in the work. Genealogy became her passion and eventually her lifelong career. As an extremely gifted and talented Genealogist Vera received her accreditation from Brigham Young University and throughout the years helped thousands of people on both sides of the veil connect their families. In addition to serving as Genealogy and Family History instructor, Vera served as Young Women President and in the Relief Society organization.

Mom loved sports and any activity that her children and grandchildren were involved in. She was our number one fan and rarely if ever missed a game, a meet, a theater play, or a recital that her family was in. Vera loved watching the World Series each year and enjoyed the Super Bowl because it was time with family.

Vera had a passion for books and a love of reading. Her treasured collection of books made her happy and Vera found joy in sharing those with her family. Vera had a special love for Church History, the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints and of Joseph Smith. Vera was a 50-year member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Aurelia Rogers Camp and enjoyed her association there.

Mom loved gardening and kept an immaculate yard. Irises were her favorite flowers, and Vera especially loved the varieties of purple; her favorite color. Vera enjoyed pollinating and creating new colors of Iris.

A few weeks ago, a December miracle and tender mercy occurred when one of her irises bloomed, a purple one, just outside her front door. She was so amazed and so happy!

Vera had a bright smile, warm eyes, a countenance full of light and was kind. She had an elegant sense of style and an ability to attract people to her. She was loved by many and will be missed greatly. She has been welcomed to her new heavenly home by countless souls grateful for her service to them through her genealogy work.

Vera loved her family above all, and her biggest joy was watching and being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved them so much and expressed her love for them as some of her last earthly words. She spent quality one on one time with each of her grandchildren, taught them about their heritage and loved being with them.

Vera had unwavering faith and a testimony of Jesus Christ. She taught her children well, lived an exemplary life and bore her own pains and sorrows quietly. She accomplished great things in her life and although she spent much of her life alone, she had so many friends whose relationships she cherished. She will miss her little dog Angel but is no doubt happy to see her sweet dog Daisy.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents, two younger sisters Carolyn Washburn, Sue Archibald and their spouses, and her husband Grover. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Dee and Chris Giles, 4 Children, Taylor (Jan), Tamara (Randy) Schow, John (Lisa), and Rachel (Jeff) Wells, 18 Grandchildren and 42 Great Grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints Farmington South Stake Center, 695 South 200 East, Farmington Utah, 84025 on Friday, January 28, 2022. The Interment will take place at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 East 7800 South (Bengal Blvd), Salt Lake City, Utah, 84121.

Service Streaming: https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/dCxyC9r20VuxvB6rT3-30s?domain=na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com