Patricia Ann (Hardy) Gale

Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home is not handling the services for NaDean Lewis. We are posting the obituary as a courtesy to the family.

Heaven gained another angel on October 22, 2026, with the passing of Pat Gale in Grand Junction, Colorado. Pat was born in Vernal, Utah on August 14, 1947, to Elza “Kick” Hardy and Blanche (Martin) Hardy, the youngest of their five children. Blanche was a traveling nurse and the family moved around frequently, placing Pat in elementary schools in several different states. Pat attended Vernal Jr. High and Uintah High School and earned her GED later in life. Pat met Floyde in 1963 while she was working as a carhop. They dated for about a year and while attending one of their friends’ weddings decided to elope. Being a minor at the time, Pat and Floyde had to wait for Blanche’s consent. On September 22, 1964, they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada and celebrated 62 years of marriage this past September.

Pat and Floyde began their married life in Dutch John, Utah, where Floyde worked as a mechanic at the Flaming Gorge Dam. While they lived there, they had their two children, Troy and Denise, who were without a doubt their pride and joy. There they were able to provide the childhood they wished they had - one full of love, joy, stability, and encouragement from family. The community is part of what drew them to call Dutch John their home for over 4 decades. In the early years of living in the community, Pat worked for the Natural History Association. She also served as an election clerk, volunteered throughout the community, was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and enjoyed participating in the Relief Society. Pat then worked as a U.S. Postal Clerk on Saturdays and filled in for others when necessary. In 1990 she became the U.S. Postmaster until her retirement in 2004.

After retirement, Pat and Floyde enjoyed many winters in Yuma, Arizona, trading the cold and snow for sunshine, rounds of golf, good company, and new friendships. They cherished the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the warmer weather, and make wonderful memories together, but home was always where Pat’s family was. Their last years in Dutch John were spent living next door to their four grandkids, Ally, Linsey, Bennett, and Malorie. Pat played an everyday part of their lives, an opportunity cherished by both Pat and the grandchildren. They were able to learn from her wisdom, caring heart, patience, and ability to find humor in the everyday things.

Pat had a contagious zest for life and was always the one to start snowball fights, fill water balloons, take kids on bike rides, or pack up to go to the lake. She played an active role with both her kids and grandkids and was a mom and Grandma to an entire community. Pat taught all of the kids to water ski, and they would stay in the lake for hours. A love of the water that began with Pat has been passed on through three generations. She was always ready for swimming, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, biking, sledding, or playing a game of pinochle or other card games. So many memories of Pat involve her skills in the kitchen. From baking, to canning, to meat and potato dinners, she could cook it all. It was with wisdom beyond measure that Pat always had a listening ear and thoughtful advice to anyone that needed it.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Kick and Blanch Hardy; siblings Billy Hardy, Peggy Chivers, Beverly Mecham, and Laney Buist; and son-in-law Greg King. She will be dearly missed by her husband, Floyde Gale of Grand Junction, son Troy and wife Nan of Vernal, and Daughter Denise and husband Kevin Ball of Grand Junction. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Ally Ota (Stu), of Parker, CO; Bennett (Samauree), and Linsey Gamble of Vernal; and Malorie Raska (Joe) of Castle Rock, CO. Pat’s five great-grandchildren are: Rylan and Harper Ota, and Emmra, Beckett, and Herbie Gale.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Vernal, Utah at the Uintah Conference Center on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 1-3 PM. She will be laid to rest at Rock Point Cemetery at a later date.