Gayle Pierce

Julia "Gayle" Pierce passed on December 10th, 2025, after a valiant battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy AKA PSP. Gayle was born December 12th, 1949, in Starkeville, Mississippi. She was delivered by the town doctor, her grandfather, Felix Long, from her mother's side. Early in her childhood, her father, who was also a doctor, moved his family West. They found their home in Tucson. She attended private middle school and graduated from Rincon High School. As she moved through her early adult years, she met the love of her life Don. They were married in 1972 and honeymooned in Yellowstone. They had two daughters, and she was blessed to be able to be a stay-at-home mom. In 1985, she and Don moved their girls to Show Low to be closer to family and have the girls grow up in a smaller town vs. a big city. Don and Gayle would call Show Low home for the next 30+ years. During her time in Show Low, she worked at the Linden Fire Dept. and was a Fire Truck Engineer. She worked in several doctors' offices before landing at Summit Healthcare as the Director of Volunteer services. This was a position she thrived in, she loved her volunteers deeply. She retired from this position. As she started her retirement, unfortunately she lost the love of her life Don, in 2015, after 43 years together. She made the decision in 2020 to put their house on the market and move to the valley, where she spent her final years.

Gayle loved to entertain! She had fabulous Halloween parties in Tucson and continued to have huge Easter Egg hunts in Show Low bringing fun to many youngsters during that time. She absolutely loved children. Having only had girls, her 4 grandsons were a new challenge, and she loved them deeply!

Gayle was an avid reader, and it was not unusual for her to complete a novel in a days' time, especially when enjoying camping. She loved gardening, canning, and cooking. Thanksgiving was always a full house. You never knew who to expect as mom never knew a stranger. Her most cherished meals to make were Mexican food, including red chile and chili rellenos, and cheese dreams. If you know, you know!

Most of all, Gayle was known for her huge heart! She was always there with a smile and a hug, which "requires two arms." Her family will miss those things immensely. That family the survives her includes her two daughters, Julie (James) and Alyssa. Her grandsons, Robert (Jackie), Dominic (Emily), Tristan (Ariana), and Conrad. She is also survived by her brother Bill Eberling(Joanie), 6 great grand children and many other friends who loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband Don and her parents Bill Sr. and Julia.

Services are going to be held at Owens Livingston Mortuary on January 10th, 2026 at 2:00pm. An additional open house style celebration of life will be held on January 17th from 1pm-3pm at Popo's Fiesta Del Sol located at 17037 N. 59th Ave. Glendale AZ 85308.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Desert Botanical Gardens, St. Vincent de Paul, or Hospice of the Valley.