Jerolyn Lee Brown McKay, 84, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and daughter died peacefully in her sleep January 25, 2023 of natural causes. She was born on June 17,1938 in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho to Archie Brown and Othella Elaine Morris Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister and her brother.
Jerry is survived by her son William Paul McKay and his wife Tracee and their children; Cody Paul McKay and fiancé Grace as well as Nicole (Nicki) Catherine McKay. Her sister Bonnie Danielson and her husband Dennis as well as their children who she thought of and treated like grandchildren; Todd, Tyler, Justin and Chase Danielson. Her sister Darlene Borget and husband David as well as many adoring nieces and nephews that she loved. Her brother Mike preceded her in death by just ten days.
The second of five children, Jerry was a kind and loving older sister to her younger siblings who adored her. When she was young the family moved around a lot in Idaho and Utah ending up in Salt Lake where she met the love of her life, Paul McKay. They were married on May 29, 1959 and settled in Rose Park. Jerry’s mother died when her younger sister Bonnie was five years old and Jerry and Paul later welcomed Bonnie into their home and treated her like their own. They saved her by giving her a loving home and a safe place to land.
Jerry had a long career with General Motors working her way up from entry level secretary to executive administrative assistant for the Zone Manager in Salt Lake and then later for the Zone Manager in Denver, Colorado. It was one of the top level positions a woman could hold with GM at that time. Her best accomplishment, however, arrived on May 24, 1970 when her son William Paul McKay was born. Bill was everything to her and Paul and the focus of their life. They loved camping and boating and spending time together with family. Paul died suddenly of a heart attack July 1, 1973 leaving a heartbroken Jerry, Bonnie and Bill behind.
Jerry and Bill moved to Colorado where Bill finished High school and later earned a degree in automotive technology. He later met and married Tracee Crapo. The two of them have unselfishly spent the last few years helping with Jerrys care.
Jerry’s happiest times and most joyous moments have been spent with her beautiful grandchildren Cody and Nicki. They were definitely her world and she would have done anything for them. Jerry was kind and sensitive and loved being with her family. She was a strong and independent woman who took care of her family on her own for nearly fifty years until she became ill. There are no words to express our sorrow at her passing nor the relief we feel that she no longer suffers. We will always love her and think of her and try to be like her as we move forward and try to heal from the loss of one of the kindest and most compassionate humans ever born.
She will be buried in Wasatch Memorial Gardens in Salt Lake City next to her beloved husband Paul, February 4, 2023. There will be a graveside service at 10:00 a.m. that same morning.
I'm so sad that my last 3 posts have been about someone I love dearly passing away.
Aunt Jerry was such a great lady, her funeral was wonderful, just like she was. Everyone who spoke talked about how kind and generous she was. I remember as a little kid, I was her first niece. She always gave us the best birthday presents. One year she gave me and my siblings the funnest jungle gym. After my parents passed away, I inherited it. Our grandkids love to play on it. She also gave us a fun merry go round, (it's probably still up in the rafters of Jeff's house).
Bonnie, Lani, Pamela, and Justin all spoke at her funeral. They each shared wonderful stories of how she had influenced their lives. Here are a few photos I took of the day. All of Bonnie's kids and their spouses were there and several of her grandkids.
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