Beth Merrill McConkie

Beth Merrill McConkie 1918-2010

BOUNTIFUL-Our beautiful mother, Beth Bonnie Merrill McConkie, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2010. She was born on May 15, 1918 to Cecil Alva Merrill and Wilhelmina Johnson in Preston, Idaho. Mom lost her father when she was just six months old during the 1918 flu epidemic. Mom was raised with her two brothers, Spence and Dick, in Cache Valley by her mother and step-father, Denzil Tripp, and attended the Utah State Agricultural College in Logan. Mom and Dad met at a dance at the Ensign Stake. Dad was immediately smitten (Mom eventually) and Mom married our father, France Briton McConkie in the Salt Lake Temple on May 26, 1942. The following day, Dad returned to his military duty. Mom and Dad settled in Bountiful, Utah where they raised their eight children Bonnie Wright (Stewart), Brit Jr. (Janet), David (JoAnne), Richard (Julene), Michael (Gina), John (Leslie), Julie, and Paul (Lynne). Mom devoted her life to the gospel, to her family, and to loving and supporting Dad with whom she went through life hand-in-hand. Whether as a Primary teacher, Mission mother in Los Angeles, Temple matron in Manila or as Grandma Beth to her family and the children in the neighborhood who loved to knock on her door, Mom loved others and was loved by them. She is survived by her children, 41 grandchildren and 64 great-grandchildren. Mom has been blessed with kind and attentive neighbors and friends. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Bountiful Tabernacle, 51 South Main, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held on Monday, January 3, at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful from 6-8 pm and from 9:30-10:30 prior to services at the Tabernacle. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers consider the General Missionary Fund or Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.