Melany Swensen

Melany Gager Swensen
1956 ~ 2021

Our cherished wife, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully after a valiant battle with cancer. Melany was one of the strongest individuals with an unyielding will and determination like no other. She endured endless cancer treatments and procedures for 14 years.

Melany has a heart of gold and unselfishly took care of everyone else before worrying about herself. She devotedly cared for her in-laws for 6 years as if they were her own parents. It was not uncommon for her to be delivering groceries or stopping by to check on family, friends and even strangers. She came across someone in a grocery store in 1987 who needed help and ended up caring for them until their departure from life 25 years later.

Melany was committed to everything that she did in life including her work. She was employed by Smiths for 35 years and met many co-workers through the years who became close friends.

Melany was a social butterfly who could always be found on the phone or catching up with friends through social media. She loved to go out to dinner and a movie with her sisters and friends. She was a talented cook and loved to prepare meals for family and friends, especially around the holidays.

Survived by her husband, Gary; mother, Marilyn Ktestakis; sister, Shara Gager; brothers, Shirl and Shawn Gager; and sons, Bryan, Bryce (Jenn), and Brandon. Her greatest joys in life include her 3 grandchildren, Haylee, Drew, and Carson.

Our sincere gratitude to the faculty and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute. A special thank you to her care team, Dr. John Ward and Rosie Conder. They are unsurpassed and will always be part of Melany’s story. She often said, “That place [Huntsman] just feels different” and we know that’s due in part to their commitment, care, and concern for 10 years.

A special thanks to her other sisters from far away, Francis Fish and Vicky Zaiter and for the extra special love provided by her sister, Shara and her sister-in-law, Sherrie Swensen. Preceded in death by her father, Shirl Gager; and sister, Shirlyn Gager Combes.

A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, September 18th at Discovery Christian Community Church located at 5929 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, 84121.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the “Melany Swensen Memorial” at any America First Credit Union would be appreciated. Our hope is to provide financial assistance for those battling cancer.