Gayle Bennett (Eytchison)

Gayle Bennett (Eytchison) passed away at home on June 10, 2025. Gayle was born on December 10, 1934 to Verlo and Vinnie Bennett in Lago, Idaho. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to Boise where she lived ever since.

Gayle married Steve Eytchison on March 16, 1950. They were married for 41 years until Steve’s death in 1991. They had five children, four girls and a boy. Gayle was a very devout Catholic and was always involved in many church activities and organizations. After raising five children Gayle returned to BSU and graduated with a BA in Education, and began work as an Elementary Special Education teacher in the Boise School District where she worked for 17 years until her retirement in 1996. After she retired, Gayle started traveling – some of her favorite trips were going to Arizona in the spring to watch baseball. She also took up skiing after she retired and especially enjoyed skiing with the Prime Timers at Bogus. Gayle was also an avid BSU football fan and rarely missed a game.

Gayle was preceded in death by her husband Steve, daughter Brenda Mansell and granddaughter Jessica LaDuke. She is survived by her children, Beverly Prince (Stuart), Barbara Scrivner (Wes), Beth LaDuke (Stan), Mike Eytchison (Karen), and son-in-law Randy Mansell. She has 10 grandchildren, Angela Newland (Jim), James Prince (Stormy), Nick Scrivner (Annie), Matt Scrivner (Sarah), Ed Fritz (Cary), Amanda Mendez, Scott Mansell (Heather), Stephanie Lakey (Jake), Steven LaDuke, and Rose Nation (Daniel), 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Lee Hobb (Vickie), and Dennis Hobb (Pam) and sister Marilee Lewis (Dean).

A funeral mass will be held for Gayle on June 25 at 11:00 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Boise followed by a private family burial. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent in Gayle’s name to the Idaho Humane Society or a charity of your choice.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Truewood by Merrill Assisted Living and Copper Falls Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Gayle over the past year.