August 20, 1935 - August 18, 2023

On August 18, 2023, Gloria "Gay" Gayle Dunn Covert passed away peacefully surrounded by her four children, Courtney McIntyre (Rob George), Alison Mader (Phil), Blake Covert (Lauren) and Eric Covert (Maureen) after a life well-lived.

Gay, as she was known by all, was born August 20, 1935 in Marysville, California. She and her older brother Robert "Bob" and half-brother Clayton were raised by her parents Ada (Brown) and Clement "Shorty" Dunn.

Gay was raised in a lovely Tudor-style home, surrounded by a stunning garden which her father created and tended. His passion for gardening was an inspiration to Gay as she spent a lifetime herself growing beautiful roses, trees and flowers. Years later, she moved back into her childhood home and oversaw a full renovation, both inside and out, to restore the home and gardens to the beauty she remembered from her childhood. Gay's love for historic homes, preservation and gardening led to active roles in the Yuba-Sutter Gardening Club, the Marysville Historic Society and a seat on the Marysville Planning Commission.

The joy of Gay's childhood provided a foundation of optimism and resilience that would soon be tested as a teen. While attending a dance as a high school freshman, Gay stood near a wall heater and her dress caught fire. She suffered severe burns over half her body. In her trademark style, she approached this pain and challenge directly and with determination. As she recovered at UCSF and Mercy Hospital in Sacramento for over two years, she was surrounded by the care and love of nuns, doctors and nurses as they led her long recovery. Those dedicated nurses in particular offered Gay deep inspiration for the next stage of her life. After a demanding rehabilitation, Gay returned to Marysville High School, welcomed by her teachers and many friends. She later attended Yuba College and then Gay enrolled in Stanford University where she proudly graduated with a BSN in Nursing. The nurses who had cared for her as a child inspired her to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse. For nearly 40 years, Gay fulfilled the health needs of children and families, serving as a special education school nurse for the Yuba County School District, and as a member of the Yuba Sutter Mental Health Advisory Board. As she often said, "Healthy Children Learn Better".

Gay was an active volunteer in a range of organizations. All four of her children attended Holy Angels/St. Isidore Catholic School and Yuba City High School. She was a devoted parent to their education and activities, serving as President of the Holy Angels Mother's Guild, President of Alpha Sigma Sorority, a proud and longstanding member of the Stanford Nurse Alumnae Association as well as holding leadership roles in the California School Nurses Association. Gay loved dinner with friends, travel, theater, music, and was often seen driving around town in her white convertible Miata. Gay had a life-long love for the outdoors and was a particularly talented skier. In fact, after retiring from nursing, Gay found it the perfect opportunity to hit the slopes and head to her beloved Lake Tahoe where she was hired as a ski instructor at Tahoe Donner resort!

Gay Covert was a beautiful daughter, mother, and grandmother. She was a kind and loyal friend, and a dedicated nurse who lived to serve others. Gay was the kind of person who could enter a room full of strangers and leave with ten new friends. We were truly blessed to have her in our lives and will miss her self-deprecating humor and quick wit, as well as her warmth and loving kindness.

A celebration of her life will occur with a funeral mass on September 5, 2023 at 10:30AM at St. Isidore Church in Yuba City. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to Stanford Medical Research at www.medicalgiving@stanford.edu .