Gladys Elizabeth "Liz" Yanni

1956 - 2025

Liz Yanni

1956 ~ 2025

Midvale, UT- Gladys Elizabeth "Liz" Yanni passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 21, after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy, formerly known as Shy-Drager Syndrome. Ever-determined to defy the odds, Liz thrived for over 30 years after being diagnosed with the illness, which usually claims a patient's life in about a decade. Liz was born on June 9, 1956 to Jesse and Mary Limb. She was one of fourteen children. Liz worked at Holy Cross Hospital where she met her husband, John, while he was attending the University of Utah. Liz and John were married February 24, 1979 in the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel. They were married 46 wonderful years. Their love grew stronger each and every day of their marriage. Liz became a Registered Nurse after graduating from Imperial Valley College. During her career as an RN, Liz would periodically get in trouble with her supervisors because she would spend too much time visiting with her patients. That is how Liz was. She cared for people. She was the most caring and loving person in the world. She was an outstanding RN. It broke her heart when she had to give up her nursing career because of her health. MSA causes a constant progression of ailments while it continually breaks down the body of the individual. For the last six years, she had to have dialysis every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:00 am. Through that entire progression, Liz's attitude only remained positive. Liz is survived by her husband, John, and their three grown children, Tim (Brandy), Heather (Darren), and Patrick (Karla). Her beloved Papillion, Cammy, is heartbroken as well, and she and John will comfort one another in grief. She is lovingly known as "Mimi" to three beautiful grandchildren, Ike, Ella and Owen. She is survived by many siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, totaling in the hundreds. Liz's family extends gratitude to all of the outstanding doctors and nurses at University of Utah Health, and to the staff of Davita Dialysis in Sandy, all of whom provided Liz with wonderful, loving care. A special thank you goes to Liz's attending physician, Dr. Margaret Solomon, for her compassionate care she faithfully provided to Liz. Liz was warmly supported by many neighbors and friends. Among these neighbors are Andrea and Johnny Stevens, who treated Liz as if she was a member of their family. After receiving Last Rites of her Church, Liz was allowed to pass with dignity. Until her final passing, she was held in the loving arms of her husband, John. Liz has donated her body to University of Utah Health. It was her hope that by offering her body for research, she would be able to help future MSA patients so they might not have to suffer as she did with her illness. By her request, there will be no formal, public memorial service. Instead, her family invites you to give thanks for her life in your own meaningful way, and to make special acts of kindness, respect, and love to those around you.