Leah Moulton Calder

Leah Moulton Calder, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 11, 2019 after a brief illness, at Welcome Home Assisted Living, in Bountiful, Utah, with her family by her side. She would have celebrated her 103rd birthday in two weeks.

Leah was born on May 25, 1916, to Mary Catharine Hicken Moulton and Hyrum Moulton. She had a happy childhood growing up in her beloved Heber Valley. There was never a dull moment as the middle child of three brothers and three sisters. She adored her loving parents and siblings and together they created many fond memories, especially when the four “Sisters” got together.

Leah was a sociable, popular young woman and had many close friends throughout her entire life. She was honored to be elected Queen of the Heber 2nd Ward, Gold and Green Ball. She loved dancing and never “missed a beat,” or a dance, and always had her dance programs filled with would-be suitors. She enjoyed being on the high school dance team, and graduated from Wasatch High School on her 18th birthday.

Leah spent time in the summers visiting her Aunt Helen Duke and Cousin Margie in Vernal. She was cautioned she could date anyone in town with the exception of “Leadfoot” Clive Calder. Need we say more? They were married May 10, 1939 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple for time and eternity.

They spent their early years residing in the Salt Lake City Avenues, then settled in Bountiful @ 105 South 100 West, which is but a bittersweet memory today.

Although never employed outside the home other than domestic help for neighbors and siblings in her younger days, Mom worked hard to make their house a home. Her family meant EVERYTHING to her! She was a doting, involved Wife, Mother and Grandmother and along with Clive, provided a lot of loving care and service to others, especially for their granddaughter, Kelsi’s special needs. She worried about everyone and epitomized the “Moulton Worry Gene.”

Leah enjoyed traveling to such places as Europe, Guatemala, New England, and many roadtrips with Clive and family to Yellowstone, camping and fishing in the motor home to Vernal and up on Diamond Mountain, Winnemucca, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Carmel, Arizona, and Hawaii to name a few. But mostly she loved time spent at home with family, BBQ’ing in the back yard with the kids and grandkids, enjoying “Clive-Burgers,” her famous shrimp salad, potato salad, and Texas sheet cake. How we miss those days!

She also enjoyed reading, until macular degeneration put a stop to that. She stayed youthful by swimming with Maxcine, and walking laps daily with First Ward friends in the Bountiful Tabernacle, until in her early 90’s. She lived alone upon our Father’s death, until she was 98.5! We were amazed and impressed with her strong will of independence, bravery, and determination. After a broken femur, she began living with Colleen and her family for the three years prior to Welcome Home, but continued doing her daily exercise routine, including walking laps inside the house and physical therapy exercises to keep her fit and agile. What an inspiration to us all!

All that, led to this.. induction into Utah’s most exclusive club, the Century Club. What an honor and milestone! The things she’s seen in her 100+ years…  Leah and other Centenarians were honored at a banquet with the Governor of Utah. And last summer to her amazement, a picture of her and Governor Herbert was featured on the cover of the local section of the Deseret Newspaper.

Last but not least, she was a lifelong faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She didn’t just endure to the end, she endured “well!” She had a strong love and belief in our Savior Jesus Christ. She loved the Gospel, despite going it alone most of her life. Her faith never waivered. Despite many earthly bumps in the road, she was an amazing example of love and forgiveness and had a strong testimony of the Atonement and Plan of Salvation. She served valiantly in the Bountiful First Ward for close to seventy years. Callings she held and enjoyed were; 1st and 2nd Counselor in the Primary Presidency, Assistant Coordinator in the Jr. Sunday School, 1st, 2nd Counselor, and Secretary in the Relief Society Presidency with her dear friends, Nora, Loreen, Blanche, and others. In addition, she was a visiting teaching supervisor and visiting teacher until the age of 86.

The family would like to thank her friend and personal hairdresser of 50 years, Phyllis Allred, Dr. David VanDeMerwe, South Davis Home Health Aide’s, Tender Care Hospice Aide’s and Nurses, her loving, patient Aides at Welcome Home (you know who you are), staff, and her sweet, helpful new friends at Welcome Home as well as countless friends, nieces, and nephews, for your loving care, visits, and concern.

Leah is survived by five children, Doug (Linda), Boise, ID, Gary (Debbie), KeyLargo FL/Grand Lake CO, Phil (Twila), Herriman, UT, Steve (JoAnn), Foxfield, CO, and Colleen (Shawn) Craven, Farmington, UT. They have 16 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. She is also survived by her sister Donna Dayton.

Preceded in death by the love of her life, Clive K. Calder, (13 years ago), granddaughters, Cindy Kaye Calder and Kelsi Shawn Craven, as well as siblings, Rufus, infant Rhea, Glen, Blanche, infant Thomas, Marvel, and Dean. What a glorious reunion is taking place!!!

We love you Mom and will miss you terribly! ‘Til we meet again.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Bountiful 1st Ward, 51 South Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful and Saturday 9:30-10:30 a.m., at the church prior to services. Interment – Bountiful City Cemetery.