Gina “Mae” Christensen Bailey June 12, 1963 ~ October 5, 2022

Gina Christensen was born June 12, 1963 in Flagstaff, AZ to Samuel Wayne and Jeanette Walker Christensen.
They also lived at Jeddito, Indian Wells and Chilchinbeto before settling the family in Monticello, UT in 1970.
Gina called Chilchinbeto home. She was happy to be an Arizona kid. The family returned to the reservation almost every summer until the trading posts were sold. 
On her first day of kindergarten in Chilchinbeto, they served breakfast. Gina already had breakfast at home and was not about to eat oatmeal with raisins. When they tried to make her, she promptly walked home over the mesa, not a small feat for a five-year old. 
In Monticello, she was involved in everything, including art, drama, volleyball and basketball. She skied, rode motorcycles, did any trick on the trampoline and played softball in the summers.
She graduated from Monticello High School in 1981 and added to her talents and adventures. She attended Utah Tech, and worked in Page, AZ, Paron, AR and Hemet, CA, just to name a few.
She was working in Arkansas when she met Roy Hand. They were married on July 5, 1984. They worked at Mussi’s Trading Post and practiced using the Navajo language she’d learned in her youth.
She returned to Monticello, where Samuel was born. She worked graveyards at San Juan Sheriff’s dispatch while raising him.
She married Walter Ray Bailey on December 24, 1987. To this union, Jason Ray and JeniLyn were born. After the marriage ended, Jesse Shayne was born. Walter always treated both Christensen boys like his own.
Gina’s life revolved around family. She followed them on their adventures and brought them along on hers, which often included traveling, hiking, cooking over the fire, rock hunting, and just being together. The outings often included her bonus son, Jordan Hugentobler.  
She loved being a mom and grandma. Her grandkids hiked, collected rocks, cooked over a fire and jumped on the trampoline. Gina was the grandma that joined them in all those activities.
No one was a stranger to Gina and she would not go through your town without stopping to visit. Some words that friends posted on Facebook that describe Gina: coolest, great human, kind hearted, loved everyone, a blast, a light, big heart, caregiver, adventurous, strong, awesome, bright, fun and funny, one of a kind, sweetheart, amazing storyteller, great lady, spunky, independent and the best. 
Gina was a caregiver to Aunt Belva and her parents. She moved to be with Jason and his family in July, 2022. She was working at a convenience store and helping insulate the garage. She was so happy to go to the kids’ activities and when she got a new phone, she called many friends and family. They cherish those last conversations.
On October 5, she was going for a drive, as she loved to do, and passed away in an accident near La Barge, WY.
Her final Facebook post is: “Wyoming, where everything is beautiful and peace and hope abound!”
Gina is preceded in death by her eldest sister Denise, mother Jeanette, nephew Travis Hugentober, brother-in-law Kyle Slack, sister-in-law Lisa Christensen, and Sam’s dad, Roy Alfred Hand. 
She is survived by her dad Samuel Wayne; brother Scott Wayne, and sisters Shelli Hugentobler, Vicki Moss and Jill Pearson; and many nieces, nephews, friends and family.
Her proud descendants include children Samuel Scott (Annette) Christensen, Jason Ray (Shaylee) Bailey, JeniLyn (Nolan) Black, and Jesse Shayne Christensen, Stacey (Gary) Brown, Walter E. Bailey, and Terri (Vicente) Villanueva, and grandchildren Leo Wayne, Matthew, Elizabeth, Brylie O’Shay, Walter Briggs, Jason Brux, Breklyn Lee, Peyton Kelly, Chase Swede, Cooper Wayne, Porter Nolan, Lacey Morgan, Brett Michael, Nolan Layton, Makena Capri, Mikell Shumway, Cayleigh, Caleb, Carmen, and Zavian C.
Card of thanks
This community is unmatched in its generosity, both substance and spirit. So many people have reached out to us with condolences, cards, food, and money.
The turn out at the service was overwhelming. Of course, we knew it would be, Gina had so many friends. She was the greatest example of inclusivity and non-judgement there is.
Thank you to so many who came from long distances to be here with us. The family will take some time to heal from such a sudden loss.
Thank you to the Third Ward Relief Society for a wonderful meal and welcome.Thank you to Sarah Pipkin and Unique Creations for the beautiful flowers.
A special thank you to Danny and Amanda Palmer and Jim and Karen Slavens. You are incredible. Family extends beyond blood for sure. 
Sam & Annette Christensen family
Jason & Shaylee Bailey family
Nolan & JeniLyn Black family
Shayne Christensen family