Lillian Marie Gurr (West) died peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Kanab, Utah at age 77. Lili was born May 22, 1943, in Columbia SC to Eldon Judd West and Edna Martin. As a family, they moved to Ogden UT when she was young and graduated from Ben Lomond High School. She then went on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to Paris, France. She loved the people and language so much that she spent her life speaking and teaching French to high school and college students and anyone else that wanted to learn the language. If she even heard a French accent she was right there speaking to them.
Lili married Robert Dean Gurr (Bob) on February 2, 1967, in the Salt Lake Temple. She graduated from Weber State College and while living in Northern Utah had 3 children; a son, and 2 daughters. Their little family then moved to Mesa, AZ for 25 years and made many friends and memories. While in Mesa they had another son and 2 more daughters. Lili always missed Utah and wanted to return, and in 1996 moved to Kanab and has loved the red hills and community ever since.
Lili had such a huge heart and loved fiercely. She wanted to take in all the stray animals and stray kids. She has helped many friends and family with a place to live and a full belly.
Lili also loved music with her whole heart. She started taking piano lessons when she was young and became so proficient that she could pretty much play any piece placed in front of her. Her most loved callings in the Church was primary pianist and ward organist. She also had a great love for art. In the last few years of her life with her health being in decline, she was able to sketch many family and friends. How blessed are we to have those now.
Her greatest love of course is her husband, all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; but a big part of her heart was for her Savior. Even through some hard times with very serious pain and health issues, her faith and testimony never wavered in her lifetime.
Lili will be missed so very much, but we know she is now pain free and happy.
Lillian is survived by her husband Robert Gurr, her siblings, Judd and Linda West and Kathy and Kent Connelly, her children Robert and Stephanie Gurr, Karyn Gurr, Cherilyn and Jake Taylor, Cami and Jeff Scholzen, Mike and Becky Gurr, and Christi and Zac Hancock. She has 19 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
A public viewing will be held at Mosdell Mortuary from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, January 15.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions a private funeral will be held Saturday, January 16 at 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be broadcast with the following link: https://youtu.be/gHA5RAG39zQ
Lili was always the most loving giving person, willing to help with anything you asked of her! She is certainly one of a kind!! I’ll be happy to see her again. Love to all the family
So sad losing my big sis. Lili, you will leave a huge hole in our hearts. Very happy that Granny came to escort you to see Dad again and meet your Savior. I Love You!
We have appreciated meeting with Lili and Bob for some home evenings and social events and will be forever impressed with their knowledge and willingness to teach and share with love and concern for others. What a great example we have of an individual willing to keep actively engaged in life while looking for service opportunities and solutions to problems. We are glad to have met her! Our condolences to all of the family.
We knew Bob, Lillian and family when they lived in Mesa. We loved their family, Lillian was a sweetheart through and through, we had great times together. She is a beautiful example of enduring to the end. She will be missed by those left behind but we look forward to meeting her again. Love to all, Dalene (Standage) Harmon
She was the best she was like a second mother to me. I know when I was I was with her I felt important I felt loved. I will miss that most the Gurr family I love. We will all be together again one of these days.. Mike Sutton
She was another mom to me. A wonderful friend and confidant. She always had a smile and good words. She taught me many things and helped me become the person I am today. Every time we talked there was laughter. I always felt loved and supported by her. I will miss her greatly.
I can still hear Lillian’s cute giggle and picture her pretty smile. I remember doing musical numbers with the Gurr family, and specifically one time when Lillian was singing with the girls for Mother’s Day. I was their accompanist and every time we would try to practice she would say, “Oh, I just don’t know if I can get through this.” Her love and tender feelings for her children was just so obvious and brought her to tears as she tried to sing the words. So many sweet memories of a wonderful, Christlike lady.