Gwen Tufts

August 26, 1938 - May 22, 2020

Mary Gwen Tufts, our loving sister, aunt, and friend, died peacefully in her sleep on May 22, 2020, at her home in Springville, Utah. The oldest of four children, Gwen was born to Florence “Peterson” and Clarence John Tufts on August 26, 1938, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood on farms in Taber and Barnwell, Alberta, with her brother, Devon Tufts, and her sisters,Maurine Jones and Ann Tufts, who passed away when she was fourteen years old. In addition to “doing whatever needed to be done” on the farms growing up, Gwen was an all-star basketball player. As a Junior, Gwen played every position and averaged over 20 points per game to lead her tiny team from Taber High School to become the Alberta Provincial Champions. In 1957, Gwen moved to Provo, Utah, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from Brigham Young University (BYU), before going to on to earn a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as an Ed.D. Doctorate degree in Institutional Management from Pepperdine University. Gwen made a huge impact on the lives of countless people over the course of her career, both as a nurse and a highly successful and sought-after administrator who was known for balancing budgets, improving systems, and saving jobs – from Unit Head Nurse at LDS Hospital, at Brotman Memorial Hospital in Culver City as Director of Nursing where she directed over 800 employees, at Westlake Medical Center as Director of Nursing and as Risk Manager at Conjeo Valley School District. From the moment she was baptized in a canal near her family’s farm when she was 8 years old, Gwen found great happiness as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially while serving as a teacher and visiting coordinator for the Relief Society. Gwen’s nieces and nephews were the delight of her life, which she continuously illustrated through countless acts of love, both large and small – from providing unforgettable family vacations at her timeshare in San Diego, to never forgetting a single birthday, baptism, graduation, wedding, mission farewell, baby blessing or any other milestone along the way. Gwen is survived by her sister, Maurine Jones, her brother, Devon Tufts, 14 nieces and nephews, and 49 grandnieces and grandnephews. A private family viewing and service will be held Saturday, May 30, 2020. Interment in Springville City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.