Gail Buttars Anderson

Gail Buttars Anderson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, marriage and family therapist, artist, author, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on July 11, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by her family.

Gail was born on September 26, 1943, in Ogden, Utah, to Clair and Melba Buttars. She was the third of ten children, growing up in a large family that helped shape her lifelong devotion to family, friendship, and caring for others. During her teenage years, her family moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where she graduated from high school.

She met her sweetheart, Joel Adam Anderson, in her home ward after he returned from serving a mission in Sweden and spoke in sacrament meeting. They were married on June 7, 1962, in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they built a beautiful life, raising six children and welcoming 30 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren into their family.

To know Gail was to know the fierce, unwavering love of a mother. She possessed an almost instinctive ability to sense when one of her children or grandchildren needed her, often stepping in to protect us before we even realized we were in danger—or when we stubbornly chose danger ourselves. She would have done anything for her children, and time and again, she did. She taught us that motherhood is not simply a role, but a lifelong calling of devotion, sacrifice, and unconditional love. That same steadfast love extended to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure.

Her nurturing heart reached far beyond her own family. We often joked that Mom was a “collector of people.” Wherever she went—whether to an art class, a professional conference, or on a personal trip—she seemed to find someone who needed a friend, a place to belong, or a family. Before long, they became part of ours. As a family, we fostered many children over the years, and Mom welcomed lifelong friends into our family from places as far away as Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New Zealand. One of those unofficial adoptions eventually became official when she proudly gained a daughter-in-law who had first entered our lives as one of Mom’s “collected people.” Many others came to know her as a second mother, finding in her a safe place, wise counsel, and a love that never had to be earned.

Within our family, she became lovingly known as “Neenie.” One of her oldest grandchildren, Zach, coined the name as a toddler, and it soon became far more than a replacement for “Grandma.” Neenie simply became her name—sometimes even interchangeable with “Mom.” Our friends did not call her Gail; they called her Neenie. Her sons- and daughters-in-law called her Neenie. When someone occasionally asked, “What kind of name is Neenie?” We would laugh and explain its history. She was everyone’s Neenie. Even her Facebook profile read, “Neenie Anderson.”

While raising six young children, Gail’s passion for learning and helping others led her back to school. She earned her bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Brigham Young University, followed by a master’s degree in Counseling from Idaho State University.

Gail spent the early years of her career with LDS Social Services, helping families overcome adversity and facilitating adoptions. She later opened her own counseling practice, Direction, where she devoted herself to marriage and family therapy. She changed countless lives through her work, but her compassion extended well beyond the walls of her office. She possessed a remarkable curiosity about people, a fierce determination to seek and defend truth, profound empathy for anyone who was hurting, and an uncanny ability to strengthen the faith of those around her. Whether someone needed wisdom, encouragement, or simply someone to believe in them, Gail was there.

Gail’s faith in Jesus Christ was a guiding force throughout her life and a source of purpose, service, and compassion. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she joyfully served in many callings, including Relief Society teacher, family history consultant and instructor, missionary, and advocate for families seeking counseling resources. She quietly dedicated countless hours to lifting those around her.

In the Farmington 10th Ward, Gail found not only a church family but lifelong friendships. She especially treasured the women of Relief Society and her beloved book club, often speaking with gratitude about the remarkable friends who enriched her life. She felt deeply loved by her ward family, and that love was returned many times over.

Behind her gentle spirit was extraordinary strength and courage. Gail endured lifelong physical and health challenges that few could imagine, yet she persevered with remarkable resilience and refused to let hardship diminish her passion for life.

Beyond being an exceptional therapist and devoted mother, Gail was an accomplished horseback rider who dearly loved her horse, Gypsy. She was also a gifted artist and was selected as one of only a few guest artists invited to paint in the Louvre, where she created a replica of one of the museum’s masterworks.

In her later years, Gail began writing her memoir. It chronicled not only the hardships she endured but also the wisdom, growth, and healing that emerged from them. She often spoke of what she called “the divine choreography of life”—the belief that meaning could be found by looking back and seeing how even life’s greatest trials became part of something beautiful. In her final days, knowing she would not be able to finish the manuscript herself, she entrusted its completion to her children, believing we would faithfully share her story of faith, resilience, and hope.

More than any accomplishment, Gail treasured her family. She celebrated the uniqueness of each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and found immense joy in watching their lives unfold. She also cherished the family she grew up in and shared an especially close bond with her sister, Cris, whose passing a year and a half ago left a space in her heart that was never filled. We can only imagine the sweetness of their reunion in heaven.

Her legacy lives on not only through her profession, art, and writing, but also through the compassion, courage, faith, and perseverance she modeled every day—and through the countless lives forever changed by knowing her.

Gail is survived by her loving husband, Joel Anderson; her children, JD Anderson (Jennifer), Shane Anderson (Carla), Camille Winnie, Todd Anderson (Angela), Brandon Anderson (Meghan), and Ariane Barr (Brian); her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her six beloved siblings; her extended family; her dear friends; and the many people she welcomed into her heart as family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clair and Melba Buttars; her siblings, Clint Buttars, Aaron Buttars, and Cris Clayton; and her grandchildren, Adam Anderson and Emily Anderson.

Although our hearts are broken by her passing, we find comfort in knowing that her suffering has ended and that the love she gave continues to ripple through generations.

Neenie, we love you infinity googooplex, and we will see you when we are done here!

In lieu of flowers, we encourage acts of kindness, compassion, and service in our Neenie’s memory—the very gifts she offered so freely throughout her life.

A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah. Services will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM, Farmington 10th Ward, 272 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah with a viewing prior to the services from 9:45-10:45 AM. Interment will be at Farmington City Cemetery, 200 East 500 South, Farmington, Utah.

Zoom link is provided by the 10th Ward: