Gloria Venette Wardleigh Parker

Our kind, loving mother, Gloria Venette Wardleigh Parker, at age 92, returned to the arms of her sweetheart husband, Stewart Howarth Parker, on Tuesday January 25, 2022, after 44 years as a widow.  Together they had six children:  Debbie (Brady), Chris, Peggy (Stoker), Todd, Guy, and Heidi (Perry).  From these children came 21 grandchildren and 50+ great grandchildren who call her “Grandma Great”.

Born January 9, 1930, Gloria was the oldest child of Raymond Wardleigh and Bertha Ballingham.  She was born and raised on 23rd street in Ogden, Utah along with her siblings George, Dorothy (Tak), and Helen. She grew up knowing many of her relatives since they came in from Grouse Creek and stayed in her parent’s home while attending school.

Gloria was a talented artist.  She won several contests as a child and young adult.  She was active in school activities and dances.  It was during her youth that she met Stewart.  They were engaged at Christmas time in 1947 before he left on his mission in the spring of 1948. Stewart said: “I was delighted to learn that I was going to South Africa, knowing that I couldn’t be tempted to come home no matter how homesick I got for Gloria and for home. It was the farthest mission from home in the whole world.” They were married on July 10, 1950, in the Logan Utah Temple.

As a young couple, they faced several challenges with early childbirth of several children, losing their second daughter, Chris.  Stewart’s desire to be his own boss and provide for the family brought new challenges.  Gloria, although scared and maybe apprehensive at first, supported Stewart in every way she could by caring for the children, preparing meals, sewing, building duplicators in the basement, answering the phone for Stewart’s Handyman business, making draperies for I & M Furniture, and transporting kids across town to multiple elementary, junior high, and high schools. She and Stewart enjoyed long lasting friendships with dad’s former mission companions and their wives and many members of the Bountiful 15th ward family.

After Stewart died in May 1978, she spent many years “looking down in the mouth” as a dental assistant for Dr. Robert Hazen.  Gloria continued to take art classes, paint with oils and watercolors, and draw with pastels.

Several highlights of her life were two visits to the land of Israel with her sister, Helen Wardleigh, and Deena Nay, a neighbor, with author Gerald N. Lund as the tour guide.  One included an extended tour through parts of Europe just after the Berlin Wall came down.

She was happy, kind, and loved her family and friends.  She cherished visits from her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She was always interested to hear what they had done or were doing currently.  If they were of marriage age, she wanted to know if they were dating and who the lucky person was and something about them.

She will continue to be loved and missed by all who knew and loved her as we do.

Mom, now you can spend the rest of eternity with Stewart and come to know, love, and cherish your daughter Chris Parker, son-in-law Jodie Stoker, grandson Derek Parker, great grandson Jaxtyn Parker, and other friends and family who welcome you.

There will be a viewing Monday, January 31, 2022, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah from 6-8 p.m. The funeral will be Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 11 a.m. with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Bountiful Utah South Stake Center, 1250 South Main, Bountiful, Utah. The Interment will be held at the Bountiful City Cemetery after the service and then a lunch for family at the stake center.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page and ZOOM: https://zoom.us/u/acoPs4dGLU .

The live stream will begin about 15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.