Illah Paul

Illah Sundblom Paul
1927-2012

On October 30, 2012, Illah Sundblom Paul slipped peacefully into eternity following years of declining health and descent into the shadows of dementia. Born April 22, 1927 in Springville, Utah to Charles and Leora Sundblom, Illah graduated from Springville high school in 1943 and moved to Salt Lake City to work as a secretary for the Veterans Administration. she met Gordon Hewitt Paul Jr. on a blind date in 1945 after his return from World War II and were married on September 4th, 1947. This union produced a son, Gordon Hewitt Paul III, and lasted for 57 years until Gordon died in 2005.

Upon the birth of her son, Illah left the traditional work place and was able to become a stay at home mom beginning in 1952. She volunteered for many years with the Humane Society of Utah’s Women’s Auxillary and was instrumental in opening their thrift store, the animal fair, which for many years funded the opening and expansion of the Humane Society shelter in West Valley.

Illah enjoyed hiking the Uinta mountains with Gordon and later spent over 30 years of summers at their cabin at Lemon’s Grove in Francis, Utah.

Illah is survived by her son, Gordon, as well as sisters Mildred, Helen, Carol, sisters-in-law Joanne and Lorna, and numerous nieces and nephews. It was her wish that no funeral be held, and she will be buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah next to Gordon. Friends and family may visit at Russon Brothers Mortuary at 255 South 200 East in Salt Lake on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 5-7 pm. donations to the Alzheimers Association Utah Chapter, 855 East 4800 South, Murray, Utah 84107 in Illah’s name, would be appreciated. The family wishes to extend profound thanks to the staffs of Brighton Gardens/Emeritus Assisted Living and Curo Hospice for their tender and loving care of Illah over the past four years. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com.

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.”