Gail Saxton Nye , 77, faithfully completed her life's journey on her mother's birthday, Nov. 16, 2016 from complications stemming from back surgery.

She was born Feb. 7, 1939 in Ogden, Utah, the middle child of Eli Moore and Thelma Eliza Hall Saxton. Her father died when she was only 15.

She grew up on Second Street in Ogden, and attended Lincoln Elementary, Mound Fort Junior High, Ben Lomond High School and Steven's Henegar College. She was a good student and member of the Albonettes Pep Club.

She married George Jason Wells on December 4, 1958. To this union four children were born, Sherry, Susan, DeAnn and Curt Jason. They resided on the family farm in Willard. Many a weekend was spent participating in and watching chariot and cutter races as members of the Beehive and Wasatch Cutter Associations. George and Gail were also members of the Weber County Sherriff's Posse where they participated in many rodeo grand entries and "halftime" events and competitions. They divorced early in 1974.

Later on in that same year, Gail and a friend attended a weekly Single's Special Interest Dance in Logan, Utah for the first time. There she met a handsome cowboy, Wayne Nye, from Paris, Idaho who also had four children of his own, Marla, Bret, Terie and Paul. Wayne was also attending the dance for the first time.

Many more weeks were spent at those dances and love began to bloom. Challenges soon presented themselves in the form of eight children and travel distance. Alternating weekends between Willard and Paris became the norm for both Gail, Wayne and their kids. It was soon evident that the two families were destined to become one. Wayne and Gail were married on Feb. 15, 1975 at Gail's home in Willard.

Gail's love for Primary was evident, being called as Primary president both in Willard and Paris, She spent many years as a Primary teacher and served as a teacher and counselor in the Relief Society also. Her testimony and love for the Savior was evident in her service to others and her willingness to serve Him in many different capacities as a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wayne and Gail also served in the Bear Lake County Farm Bureau. She was extremely proud of her pioneer heritage and was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, serving in several different capacities including president.

She was employed at State Farm Insurance when she met Wayne and also worked at Les' Conoco Station, and become a second mother to the Mattson kids. She worked for over 19 years as a nurses aid (CNA) at the Bear Lake Skilled Nursing Facility.

Gail loved family campouts at Lane's Creek and traveling. Her greatest joys however, were her family, family history, sewing and quilting. Each and every year, Gail entered and received numerous blue fair ribbons and People's Choice awards for her quilts. In 2011 Gail earned the Outstanding Homemaker Award at the Bear Lake County Fair. In 2013 she earned the hand quilting award at the Utah Quilt Festival. Her quilts numbered in the 100s.

Gail is survived by her children, Marla McKinney, Sherry (Wendell) Brown, Bret (Emma) Nye, Susan (Mark) Moss, Terie (Quinn) Skinner, DeAnn (Charles) Rasmussen, Paul (Camie) Nye and Curt (Kim) Wells; 23 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother and sister, Gary (Annette) Saxton and Kathleen (Bill) Pettis.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Eli and Thelma; husband Wayne Nye; daughter; JaNae Nye; son-in-law; Bob McKinney; granddaughter, Bailee Marie Wells and half sister and brother Lorene Saxton Pierce and Clyde Baur Saxton.

The family will meet with friends and loved ones Sunday evening, Nov. 20, 2016 at Schwab-Matthews Mortuary from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the Paris Stake Center, 10 to 11:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 21. Funeral services will follow the viewing Monday at noon. Burial will be in the Paris Cemetery.