The Loss of a Beautiful Soul

As a teacher, she won numerous awards as one of the state and nation's top environmental educators. More important to her was the outdoor classroom she constructed with her students at Oakridge Elementary where she spent much of her 13-year teaching career. Her xeriscaped backyard, finished just before her death, reflected her commitment to acting locally to make a difference globally. But Gayen's work with the environment spanned more than just her own neighborhood. She "adopted" Alzheimer's Park on the Jordan River in honor of her beloved grandmother, Emma May, Each spring, on Earth Day, she joined with Poplar Grove neighbors in cleaning the area, all the while donating numerous native plants and trees as well as many quiet days caring for the park. Gayen showed her love for children in countless ways. As a board member of the YWCA, she not only helped with the development of the Teen Home but actually "adopted" one of the first girls admitted to the home. She served as a foster parent for both teens and infants. Mostly, though, she was a magnet who drew children close to her because they could feel her love and concern for them on many levels. As a writer, Gayen worked on numerous book and magazine projects, often with her husband Tom. She was meticulous, insisting on hard work, numerous rewrites and hours of research to make sure every detail was correct. Gayen loved the outdoors, taking her family on more adventures in her beloved southern Utah and throughout the world than they could possibly ever remember. Her only complaint that most "normal" humans could not keep up with her on a hiking trail and most hikes were too short. Despite being afraid of the water, she loved river rafting vacations and spending time on beaches, especially those of the Great Salt Lake. She became an avid birder, lending a hand to the "Linking Communities" project between Utah, Mexico and Canada. Gayen was born to Althea and Max Bennett on Oct. 19, 1950. She married her high school sweetheart, Tom Wharton, on June 17, 1972. Gayen is survived by her husband Tom; four children (Emma, 29; Rawl and Jacob, 27, and Bryer, 22), granddaughter Lindon; a grandchild expected any moment; her parents; sister Althea "Reb" Staks, Salt Lake City; and brothers Colin and Brett Bennett of Seattle. She was a graduate of Skyline High and the University of Utah.