Gayle Steffensen

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Gayle Steffensen our beloved Wife, Mom, Grandma, Gigi, Step-mother, Aunt and Sister.

After suffering a massive stroke and spending weeks in the hospital, she was finally brought home a week before her death. Gayle was lovingly surrounded by the love of her life, husband Clayton. Her son’s, Jeff, Robert, daughter Lisa and step daughter and son Judy and James.

Born in Detroit Michigan, she and her family moved to Gilroy where she was a resident for over 60 years and raised her children. She lived a full and wonderful life spending time with her family and friends. Gayle worked for the local newspapers over 26+ years where she made many friends and wonderful connections to the people of Gilroy. Gayle retired working at the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, when she married her husband Clayton and moved down south to the Van Nuys area to be with him and Clayton’s son James while still staying connected to the Gilroy community.

Gayle’s volunteering/committee work included  Bonanza Day Parades, Chamber of Commerce

(also Voted Volunteer of the Year), Garlic Festival (as Co- Chair and Chair), Leadership Gilroy (2nd class of Leadership back in 1989), and many more. She treated everyone she met with respect and often included people whose family lived far away in her family dinners and holidays.

Gayle had a strong faith in God and belonged to both Gilroy Presbyterian and Encino Presbyterian churches where she held many positions and helped on many committees. She loved crafting and many of her family and friends spent time around her table enjoying creating new things, chatting and laughing. She also loved decorating and re-imagining her space, always with an eye to making her home more beautiful, comfortable and functional for her family. During her years with Clayton both the Gilroy house and the Van Nuys house benefited from her vision and her deep love of family and home. She enjoyed traveling and adventures big and small. Her family will continue on with her bucket list of places she wanted to visit.

She leaves behind her Husband of 20 years Clayton Steffensen and her Children, Jeff (Sue) Jeske, Robert Jeske, and Lisa Cantu. She was known as Grandma to Alec Jeske, Dustin (Bri) Jeske, Jordan Jeske, Kaylee (Nick) Arnold, Jacob (Alysha) Cantu and Kali (Christian) Lundeen. Along with 3 little ones who called her Gigi, Noah and Olivia Jeske and Brixton Cantu. She was a Bonus mom to James Steffensen and Judy Hutchinson. Sister to Edward (Nancy) Sanders ll of Georgia and Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Lastly her beloved rescue dog Toby who was her cuddle buddy.

A celebration will be planned at a date in the future in both Gilroy and Van Nuys.