Elizabeth Fay Gilpin (nee Funk) was born December 14, 1927 and died April 22, 2021. She was born to Fay and Bayard Funk in Hastings, Nebraska. At that time the family lived in Butte, Nebraska. She had one brother, Robert Funk. The family moved several times to small towns in Nebraska because her father was superintendent of schools. Then they moved to Southern California and Elizabeth graduated from high school there. She attended UCLA where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art. She also obtained her teacher certification. She taught 4th grade in Merced, California for two years. During this time she met James F. Gilpin (Jim) who was in the area working for Shell Oil Company. The two married on June 12, 1954 and then moved to Billings, Montana as Jim continued his career with Shell Oil. Two daughters, Joan and Virginia, were born in Billings. The family moved
to Denver in 1963 and then to Houston in 1973. When Jim retired in 1985, they moved to Salt Lake City and together they enjoyed many years of camping, hiking and traveling. They moved to Fremont, Nebraska in 2017 to be closer to family.
Elizabeth was passionate about nature conservation, the Utah Jazz and maps! During her time in Salt Lake City she really enjoyed being a docent at the Hogle Zoo. Always curious, she continued learning new things for all of her 93 years. Even when hiking she wanted to know what was ''around the next corner'' of the trail.
Elizabeth is survived by her two daughters, Joan and husband Rhandy Helton and Virginia (Ginny) and husband Steave Harmon. She has five grandchildren….Beka Kment, Andrew Helton, Phillip Harmon, LeahYounger, Grace Harmon. She also has four great-grandchildren, Ryker Kment, Bridger Kment, Natalie Harmon and (Baby) Younger. She will be greatly missed!
There will be no public services for Elizabeth, she will be laid to rest next to her husband James F. Gilpin in the Allen Pioneer Cemetery near Blair.
To leave a message for the family please use the guestbook for Elizabeth.
Condolences(2)
Angela Jimenez
West Valley City, UT Monday, June 7, 2021 I started volunteering at Hogle Zoo in 2001. I think Betty must have been around since then at least! She was petite but assertive and smart as whip, as they say. You could tell she loved the zoo and animals, but also teaching.I think she went on many of the Zoo Safaris - where they took a zoo van and some animals to far-away towns throughout Utah and maybe beyond to present animals to schools and organizations. She served in probably the most exciting time or "golden era" of volunteering at Hogle Zoo and surely loved every minute of it. It was a time that everyone who was around - misses! Adventures were even found with the animals while staying in the hotels. hahaha. I enjoyed learning from and associating with her! :D
She will be a load of fun in Heaven!
Nori
, UT Sunday, June 6, 2021 I met Betty when I first started volunteering at Hogle Zoo. What a wonderful lady (of course, YOU know that)! I imagine it is crowded where she is since all the animals are welcoming her to what is beyond.