Gay Hansen Quinn Hauenstein

1949 ~ 2018

Gay Hansen Quinn Hauenstein, born on July 25, 1949 in Ogden, Utah. She died peacefully in her home, Saturday, August 4, 2018, after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. Gay was the 3rd of 6 children born to Melvin Hunsaker Hansen and LaWana Waite Hansen. Gay graduated from Vallivue High School in 1967 in Caldwell, Idaho. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from BYU. Gay later earned her Master’s degree in Family and Human Development from Utah State University. Gay was sealed to Lynn Ross Quinn in the St. George, Utah LDS Temple January 30, 1970. They had 7 beautiful children. They were married 18 years until Lynn’s untimely death in 1988. Gay raised her children by herself until she met and married Michael D. Hauenstein July 31, 1999, who passed away in November 2017.

Gay had many accomplishments and passions throughout her life. She loved being outdoors and helping on the farm as a child. As a teenager, Gay did her best to get out of chores so she could read her Harlequin Romance books. In high school, Gay was involved in FHA/HERO and served as a national officer for the organization. She had a passion for teaching. She taught Family and Consumer Sciences at West Jordan High School (1992-1994) and Jordan High School (1994-2012) and had a deep love for each of her students. Gay loved teaching others, whether it be how to cook, sew, quilt or teach by example how to love unconditionally. Gay lived a life of service. She was always thinking of others and many were the recipients of her handmade quilts or sewing projects. Gay loved to cook and would prefer to feed a group of 500 over a small group any day. Many anxiously anticipated Gay’s delicious hand-dipped chocolates each December. She was actively involved in a lifetime of service and dedication to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she held multiple callings and blessed the lives of many.

Family was the center of Gay’s life. She looked for any excuse to get together with her loved ones. If you knew Gay, you knew she loved you, whether you were family or not. Gay’s grandchildren were her #1 priority in her life and she did her best to make sure each grandchild knew how much she loved them. Gay loved amusement parks. Roller coasters were her favorite and many dollars were spent in bribery of anyone too scared to ride a favorite ride of hers. Gay was also an avid football fan. She was a season ticket holder to BYU football games for 34 years. She loved attending games and would willingly allow guests to join her for a game, only after they knew the price of their ticket was to stand for the Cougar Fight Song every time it was played. Gay was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2010. She never let the pain of cancer change her passion for life, her love for family, or her service to others. She continued to travel, spend time with each of her loved ones, and made sure every one of them knew how important they were to her. After multiple treatments and many successes, she finally returned home and into the arms of her eternal companion and all her loved ones that preceded her in death.

Gay is survived by her children, Melvin (Jen) Quinn, Kimberly (Paul) Nielsen, Loralee (Jeff) Miner, Kyle (Amber) Quinn, Andrea Quinn, Kevin (Alison) Quinn, and Ashlee (Josh) Christiansen; stepchildren, Francine Hauenstein, Michael (Jamie) Hauenstein, Cristie Nielson and John (Joey) Hauenstein; 34 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Also, surviving are her siblings; Maraleen Dice, Steven (Linda) Hansen, Gary (Jennis) Hansen, Ralene (Tim) Overall, Denece (Bryan) Johnson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her eternal companion, Lynn, her husband, Mike, and both of her parents.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hearts for Hospice. We would also like to give special thanks to the Barfuss Family, and the LDS Brigham City 1st Ward for their continued service to Gay and her family.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 20, 2018 at the LDS Church 2930 South 2000 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 at 11:00 am. Viewing services will be held Sunday, August 19, 2018 at Memorial Murray Mortuary 5850 South 900 East Murray, Utah from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and before the funeral Monday, August 20, 2018 from 10:00 am to 10:45 am prior to the funeral services. Interment will be in the Leavitt’s Aultorest Memorial Park, 836 36th Street, Ogden, Utah following the funeral services. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, please spend a night to celebrate your own family and remember the importance of the love you share.