Gwendolyn Gooch Nies

Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend Gwendolyn Gooch Nies, 82, quietly passed away at her home Tuesday, March 29, 2023, after losing the battle of cancer. She leaves behind family and friends that will treasure all memories of her love and her smile.

Gwen was born April 19, 1940, to Loyal Erwin and Isabel Suzannah Wade Gooch in Boise, Idaho. She was the first of three children and a welcomed joy for grandparents on both sides.  They moved to Ogden, Utah, and was raised on the ‘pole patch’ of Pleasant View, Utah.

She attended and graduated from Weber High School where she participated in singing groups, choir, and 4-H. She played piano for church groups, school groups and for herself. After graduation she went for two summers to West Yellowstone. While in West Yellowstone she met the love of her life, Donald Dale Nies. They were married August 11, 1961, in Ogden and later moved to Farmington, Utah. They enjoyed life for 23 years together until Don was suddenly taken in 1984. They were blessed with three children, 1 daughter (Dalene) and 2 sons (Michael and Scott).  

Gwen was an active member of the Farmington 6^th Ward for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she played the piano in primary and the organ. She moved to St George in 2005 to be closer to her mother. Her time in St. George was spent playing the organ in the church, the piano for the Meadows, and was Senior Companion. She loved being close to family and spending time with her mother, children, and grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children: Dalene (Michael) Cummings (St. George, Utah), Michael (Mona) Nies (Cedar City, Utah), and Scott (Teresa) Nies (Las Vegas, Nevada); 6 grandchildren: Zachary Carey, Donalee (Bobby) Carrell, Cache (Holly) Nies, Jordan Nies, Justin (Nicole) Cummings, Jade (Ezra) Morris, Jenilee (Josh) Nelson, and Frankie (Mark) Sherrat; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by Donald D Nies (husband), Loyal E Gooch (father), Isabel W Gooch (mother), Madison Leigh Nies (granddaughter) and Timothy Michael Cummings (grandson).

Visitation will be held in St. George for family and friends on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00pm at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah. 

A second visitation will be held in Farmington, Utah, for family and friends on Friday, April 7, 2023, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at the Compton Bench Chapel, 850 North Compton Road, Farmington, Utah.

Interment will take place in Farmington City Cemetery. In lieu of sending flowers, please plant one in a special place for mom.

As a family we would like to thank the Dixie Cancer Center for all their support and care, Dr. Zachary Reese for his support in caring for mom, and the cancer infusion services team for all their care and support during our time there. You are all amazing care givers and do amazing things.

We would also like to thank Dixie Hospice for helping care for mom these last few months. All of your support, care and love of what you do was evident in every visit that we had. We cannot express enough appreciation for all you did.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454.

Friends and family are invited to sign Gwendolyn’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com