Gaytha Lamoreaux Benson

Gaytha Lamoreaux Benson affectionately known to many as “Grandma Gator” (90) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at the Beaver Valley Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on the opening morning of the deer hunt, October 20, 1932, in Paragonah, Utah to Joe and Hilma Robinson Lamoreaux. She often said that when she was born her dad took one look at her and headed for the hills (to hunt). She was the oldest of five children. Joan, Robin, Duane and Mina. She loved her hometown of Paragonah and the people there. She attended Parowan High School where she was involved in student council, drama and oration. It was there she met her sweetheart, Joe Benson. She graduated in May and on June 30, 1950 she and Joe were married in the St. George Temple. Together they raised four children. GayLynn, Katy, Julie and Joey. They made their home in Parowan, Utah until they moved to Beaver in 1961. Joe was assigned to Beaver as a Utah Highway Patrolman and the couple decided to make the move and live in Beaver for “a couple years”. 61 Years later, they still call Beaver their home. Gaytha worked side by side with Joe on the farm and later as they ran the Delano Motel together. Gaytha worked hard renting and cleaning rooms as well as washing sheets and towels daily for the motel. Earlier, she also enjoyed working at the Beaver County School District and later at Lee’s Dept. store and loved working with and getting to know the community. Mom always loved a party especially at the Family Cabin. She was an excellent cook. She was known for her homemade rolls, carmel popcorn balls, homemade ice cream and would try to make everyone’s favorite pie for the holidays. She loved gardening and together with Joe, raised a beautiful vegetable garden each year. She loved to bottle items from their garden and she claimed the title of “Harvest Holic” At the age of 89 her efforts totaled 200+ bottles of fruit and vegetables. Mom made sure every Grandchild had a handmade quilt. Some included hidden pockets to hold contents of older blankets that were worn out but still loved and needed. Gaytha was instrumental in helping organize the Beaver Civic Arts and enjoyed directing and helping with numerous productions in the Old Courthouse. She was patriotic and loved a parade. She is the only person we know to take her own salt water taffy to a parade to throw at her grandchildren. Her favorite pastime was her family. She loved them with everything she had, teaching them to stand up straight and enunciate. She loved reading to grandkids, cheering them on at numerous sporting events. She was their biggest fan and supported them win or lose. She rooted for the underdog and always wanted everyone to do their best. Gaytha is survived by: her husband of 72 years Joe Benson; her children, Katy (James) Robinson, Beaver UT; Julie (Destry) Labrum, South Ogden, UT; and Joe (Esther) Benson, Beaver UT. Siblings: Duane (Sonya) Lamoreaux, St George UT and Mina Brown, Phoenix, AZ. She is Grandma to 12 and Great Grandma to 17. She is preceded in death by her daughter, GayLynn Starr; Parents, Joe and Hilma Lamoreaux; sister Joan Mortensen; and brother Robin Lamoreaux. The family would like to thank the Nurses, Aides and staff at Beaver Valley Long Term Care as well as the Doctors, Nurses, Aides and Staff at Beaver Valley Hospital for the loving care and friendship. In lieu of flowers the family requests donating to Beaver Valley Long Term care or that you hold your loved ones close and make memories. A funeral will be held Monday, January 9, 2023, at 1:00 pm. Viewing will be held that morning from 11:30 to 12:30 at the Beaver Third Ward LDS Chapel, 220 North Main, Beaver, Utah. Interment will be held at the Mountain View Cemetery. Services are available live stream via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/.92523285481?pwd=OVBOVjJCaWphb25hdlVtbXppTWY3dz09 Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 986-9100.

Gaytha Lamoreaux Benson

October 20, 1932 - January 3, 2023