Sandy Gillespie

Salt Lake City‒Sandy Gillespie our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend passed away July 4, 2023 from an aneurysm. Sandy was born December 25, 1945 in Ogden, Utah to Daryl Stark and Katherine Emma Frost. She was one of 13 children.

Her life was a living example of Bible verse Ephesians 4:32: And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Sandy married James Ronald Monson and together they shared four children, Mark R. Monson, Lynda Monson, Tracy Gill, and Ron D. Monson. As a young mother Sandy experienced great loss when James unexpectedly passed away. When anyone else would have been broken, Sandy stayed strong, so through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly looks like. She was a beacon of light in our lives, her love and warmth will forever be missed.

She was determined to make life better for her four young children. She worked hard and saved diligently to buy her first home with a yard. She took pride in learning how to care for it. She planted big gardens yearly, and she especially enjoyed teaching her children alongside her. Each Saturday her children fought over who got to push the lawn mower with mom.

Sandy later married Larry N. Gillespie with whom she shared five years of marriage. Together they raised a blended family. Sandy was a devoted wife to her husband and three stepchildren, Teri, Connie, and Doug. Sandy and Larry enjoyed traveling and spending time with family especially on Sundays when she shared pancakes on the patio. After Larry passed away Sandy moved to Denver, Colorado to be closer to family.

She was affectionately known as Grandmother to her six grandchildren, Brandon, Jake, Megan, Racheal, Nick and Aubrielle and five great-grandchildren, Josephine, Juniper, Jay, Cierra, and Braxton. Sandy loved being a grandma. She enjoyed special playdates, sleepovers, scary stories, board games and tea parties. Sandy was an amazing storyteller. She was so grateful for this precious time in her life and always made sure to give thanks to the Lord above for the many memories she made.

Sandy was a passionate animal lover and especially adored her dog, Wolvie. They enjoyed long walks and the two of them were inseparable.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a woman of great faith. Sandy was a bright light in the lives of those around her. She had a heart of gold and a spirit that could never be broken. Sandy was very passionate about caring for others. She was a friend to many and a mentor to many more. She was a strong and independent woman. She never complained about anything no matter how difficult life became. Despite her small stature, she was mighty; she was a force to be reckoned with, and she never backed down from a challenge.

The family wishes to acknowledge her very closest friends, Joe, Virginia, Lila, Crissey, and Roberta. Our mom loved you like family.

Sandy is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and six brothers and sisters, Jeannie Straight, Larry Stark, Mike Stark, Sharon Diane Hadley, and Terry Stark.

She now glorifies Heaven with her son, Mark whom she missed every day; her parents, six brothers and sisters, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

A special reminder from Sandy:

“Do what’s right and do what’s good.

Be kind and help one another.”

Rest in Heavenly peace until we meet again mom.

We love you.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to offset burial expenses.