Grace Lynne Clayton

13 October 1954 – 24 November 2024

Anyone who knew Grace would agree that her name perfectly described her character. She was gentle, kind, thoughtful, and always put others first. Grace was the one we all turned to for help with any questions or projects—she always knew what to do and what etiquette required. Grace was quick to compliment others and made everyone around her feel important and loved.

Grace Lynne Clayton was born in Murray, Utah on October 13, 1954, to Jean Chiverall and Devirl Stewart. She spent much of her childhood in California before moving back to Utah to finish high school. Grace excelled academically and continued her education at UC Berkley and Brigham Young University, where she focused on Asian Studies and English Literature. Professor Arthur Henry King was a very influential part of her education, and along with his wife, became lifelong friends. These formative college years were when she established her testimony of Jesus Christ.

Grace, along with her brother Nick and cousin Jim, formed a close-knit trio from the time they were young. They remained close friends throughout their lives. Some of their fondest memories as young adults were working together for their grandfather’s import business. One afternoon, Grace called on Western Garden Center, where she met Lon.

Grace married Lon in the Salt Lake Temple on June 23, 1975. They lived on J Street before purchasing Aunt Olive’s house on Yale Ave. They settled into their home on the family lane in Cottonwood Heights in 1980, where they remain today. Grace’s next-door neighbor of 40 years was her beloved mother-in-law, Mavis, of whom she took great care—especially after Mavis’ husband Sutherland passed in 1999.

Grace served throughout her life in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as a senior missionary with Lon in Mankato, Minnesota.

A woman of great taste, Grace had a talent for finding and creating beauty around her. She was a quiet force of nature who could bend the unbendable to her will, which power was, fortunately, only used for good. Grace’s eye for style made her an invaluable asset to both Western Garden Center and Tai Pan Trading on many buying trips.

As an avid reader, Grace curated a large library with books of all kinds. She read and listened to hundreds of books. Her children and grandchildren have spent many happy hours listening to Grandma Grace read stories to them, reading books from her shelves, and borrowing books to read at home. She always had an interesting selection to recommend. Grace was in a book club with dear friends for more than 30 years.

Grace spent many happy years with her family in Bear Lake and Huntington Beach. She loved to play games with her grandchildren and held exciting Bingo tournaments with a store of fun prizes.

Grace is survived by her husband of 49 years, Lon; their six children Nelson, Thomas, Michael (Becky Foutz), Jeffrey (Brooke Webster), Emily (Charles Hope), and Jane (Trace Stay); 16 grandchildren; brother Nick (Diane) Stewart, sister Mary, and step-mother Mary Elizabeth Stewart. Birth order of Jeffrey and Michael is neither implied nor disclosed. Grace is preceded in death by her mother Jean Beth Stewart, father Devirl Nixon Stewart, brother David, and sister Marilyn.

Services will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd at the Cottonwood Creek Chapel at 1535 East Creek Rd, Cottonwood Heights, Utah

Visitation: 9:00–10:45 am

Service: 11:00 am–12:00 pm

Interment: Salt Lake City Cemetery (200 N Street Salt Lake City, Utah)

In lieu of flowers, Grace would prefer contributions to a charity of your choice, including the LDS missionary fund, which supports young missionaries like those she came to love in Minnesota.

We are grateful for the kind care and attention Grace received at Intermountain Medical Center and Salt Lake Specialty Hospital.

Grace was a light to everyone around her and will be sorely missed.