LaRee Aldous

LaRee Baird Aldous, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home on April 10, 2011. LaRee was born to Ruby Arminella Huish and Joseph Reese Baird on January 30, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She grew up with six brothers who remained close friends throughout life. Together they built a family cabin in Brighton, Utah, and enjoyed hiking, camping, and outdoor gatherings throughout the years. LaRee earned her B.A. from the University of Utah in 1954 with a major in home economics and minor in English literature. She worked as a home cooking consultant with Mountain Fuel Supply, where she developed an expertise in nutrition and food chemistry. On September 10, 1954, she married Richard Allen Aldous in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Their love has flourished for 56 years. They are parents of 6 children, 18 grandchildren, and one great- grandchild. LaRee and Richard moved to San Francisco in 1956 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a medical officer. They moved to France four years later, living near Air Force bases at Evreux and Chateauroux. Amidst the demands of raising young children, LaRee found time to learn conversational French, develop local friendships, and master French cooking skills. The family was then transferred to Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, California, followed by their return to Salt Lake City in 1964. LaRee loved reading, instilling in her children a love of learning. She was a skilled seamstress, sewing clothes for her children and grandchildren, along with handmade Halloween costumes, Christmas pajamas, dolls, and individual quilts for each. She spent many happy hours gardening and maintaining a beautiful yard and home for family and friends. She also enjoyed numerous family camping vacations, working extensively to prepare and organize behind the scenes as her children prided themselves on roughing it. LaRee served wholeheartedly in LDS church callings and particularly loved working with the women of her community as Relief Society President. She also enjoyed working with the young women and volunteered as a hostess at the LDS Church Office Building. LaRee enjoyed daily walking with friends and participated enthusiastically in the Curves exercise program during recent years. She was honored for completion of her 1000th workout several months following diagnosis with ovarian cancer. LaRee was bright, loving, and gracious throughout life, providing immeasurable joy and support to family and friends even during her illness. She remains an indelible presence in the many lives she has touched as she moves on to rejoin her parents, her infant brother, Billy, and her dear twin brother, Rey L, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her beloved husband Richard; children Kathleen Aldous, Julie (Ed) Johnson, Michael (Jenifer) Aldous, Annette (Elliot) Holar; Sharon (Scott) Bradford; and John (Nette) Aldous; 18 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 15 at 12:00 pm in the Foothill 7th Ward, 2215 East Roosevelt Avenue, Salt Lake City. Friends may call on Thursday, April 14 from 6-8pm at Russon Brothers Salt Lake Mortuary, 255 South 200 East and prior to the services at the ward from 10:30-11:30am. Burial will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Online guest book available at www.russonmortuary.com In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Humanitarian Fund.