Florence McNeill Stuck

Our kind, patient mother, who calmed our fears, soothed our hurts, unassumingly offered advice, quietly celebrated our accomplishments, laughed with us, occasionally at us, and fixed our favorite meal each birthday, was finally reunited with her loving husband, on Sunday, October 13th.

She cheerfully greeted each morning, rarely complained about anything, found joy in the simple things in life, and loved spending time with family and friends.

Florence McNeill Stuck was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 1, 1934, to Archibald Kennedy Clifford McNeill and Edel Caroline Hansen. She was the youngest of four siblings, grew up on 9th Avenue in Salt Lake, and along with her parents was a part of the early and mid 20th century founding, growth, and development of the LDS Ensign Wards then located in that area.

Her mother was a formally trained nurse, and an old-fashioned homemaker, teaching Florence skills such as cooking, canning, sewing, decorating, and even a bit of carpentry. The two of them often did complete room renovations together. Her father was an executive for the Union Pacific Railroad, and the family traveled primarily by rail (including street cars) which led to Florence's love of travel and particularly travel by train. 

She attended Ensign Elementary, Bryant Junior High, East and West High schools, and Brigham Young University. 

Florence met the love of her life, Melvin Leon Stuck, at West High school in the early 1950s, and married her high school sweetheart, on April 29th, 1955, upon his return from Naval Service in Korea. They began raising their family in the neighborhood of her youth, eventually buying and living with her young family for many years in the family home in which she had been raised.

Florence had three equally important priorities in life: Family, Faith, and Friends. She raised six children, enjoying nothing more than being surrounded by them, and later her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Her siblings, Mary and David, and cousin Louise Johnson, remained among her closest lifelong companions. Florence revered her father, and always sought his guidance throughout her young life. Following his death in 1960, Florence remained as close to her mother as possible, living literally around the corner, or across the street, for many years, and took care of her mother for years near the end of her life.

Learning from her parent's example, Florence was always active in her LDS ward communities, and always looking for a place to contribute. She held Relief Society, Primary, Young Ladies and Missionary assignments at various times in her life. Having lived the first nearly 40 years of in the same neighborhood in the Avenues, Florence had several very close friends, some since her childhood. She stayed in touch with many of those friends throughout her life. 

In the early 1970's, Melvin and Florence left the Avenues, moving to a wonderful neighborhood in Sandy, Utah, where they raised their two youngest sons, met a new group of wonderful friends, and found new LDS Wards in which to participate and contribute. In the last few years of her life as her health required moving to Assisted Living facilities, she again make new friends and found new LDS communities in which to participate.

Florence was an amateur artist, and loved a variety of crafts. She spent a lifetime learning, creating and teaching painting, drawing, doll-making, and ceramics.

In 2018 Florence was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease facing its challenges without complaint. 

Florence was preceded in death by her husband Melvin, parents, brother David McNeill (Carol deceased), sisters Mary Brown (Cloyd deceased), Carolyn McNeill, and close cousin Louise Johnson (Bill deceased).

Survived by children Keith Stuck (Sydney), Merrill Stuck (Shauna), Colleen Holloway (Poko deceased), Marianne Stuck-Allen, Gary Stuck (Kathryn), and Richard Stuck (Janae Penrod), grandchildren, Dusty Allen (Nuvia Enrivez), Scott Stuck (Jeanne Miller-Stuck), Michelle Thomas (Erik), Ben Allen, Emily Sutton (Jesse), Rachel Stuck (Jake Arriola), Demik Holloway, Andrew Stuck, Kael Holloway, Keely Holloway, Jason Stuck, Shaun Stuck, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Florence was also preceded in death by a lifetime of close canine companions, Kim, Gillis, Sam, Shiner, and Duncan.

Everyone that knew Florence, family, friends, neighbors, and fellow crafts enthusiasts, considered her special and have a void in our hearts today. In the days to come, that void will be more than filled with the many fond memories she left with each of us. Thank you, Florence.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the exceptional care she received at Taylorsville Legacy Village Memory Care, and the staff of Utah Home Health and Hospice. 

We would also like to thank the Legacy Branch at West Bennion Stake, who weekly provided services for Florence and her community at Legacy Village, and for the support of the Sego Lily Ward, Utah Central Stake.

Please join us to honor and remember Florence, Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at 12:00 noon at the Sego Lily Ward, 9824 Flint Dr, Sandy, UT 84094, where a viewing will be held from 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. prior to services.

Interment will be Monday, October 28th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, 17111 S. Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, UT 84065.