Myra Jean Thomas DeLuna

Our beloved wife and mother, Myra Jean Thomas DeLuna, passed away suddenly, in her home, from heart failure, February 7th 2016.

Jean was born February 28th, 1941 in Los Angeles, California to George Washington Thomas and Frances Edna Johnson. She was baptized when she turned 8. Her Father was a Commercial Artist and her Mother was a nurse. Jean loved spending time with her father, which would later prove to be helpful, as her father would become ill, and it became necessary for Jean to provide his daily care, as her mother worked to support the family. In time, her father passed from this life, when Jean was 16 years old.

After Jean completed high school, she attended some college and began to be interested in missionary work. It wasn’t long before Jean found herself serving as a stake missionary. She served two Stake Missions, the first being when she was only 16 years old. She also had a great love of the Hispanic people & served as a Stake Missionary in the Spanish Branch so that she could learn Spanish, which she mastered quite fluently & was proud of it. Learning Spanish would serve her throughout her life. She would often speak of her missionary experiences with a special fondness.

Jean loved to dance and became acquainted with a great dance partner, Sabino DeLuna. They frequented the LDS Stake dances, held weekly. Their relationship developed and soon, Jean married Sabino. They were later sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 21st, 1964.  

Jean and Sabino were soon blessed with two sons, from a previous marriage: David and Moroni, and five more children together:  Sabino Jr., Esther, Laman, Michael, James. All were sealed to Jean and Sabino. She enjoyed being a mother.

Jean was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved being endowed and going to the Temple with her husband. They both served in the Salt Lake Temple for years. Jean loved her neighbors and friends, and cherished her association with ward members. She served in various church callings in the Primary, Young Women’s, and Relief Society. Recently one of Jean’s former Laurel’s commented on how Jean had touched her life while serving as her Laurel advisor and affected her life choices. No calling, however, surpassed being a caring mother and a devoted wife.

Jean always gave of herself and was blessed with many wonderful talents, which she freely shared. She loved to Sing, Cook, Dance, Crochet, and Knit, just to name a few. She was happy sharing her talent of cooking with those around her. She was known for making her famous Mexican dishes. On more than one occasion she cooked tacos and enchiladas for a houseful of people, many of whom she didn’t even know. Jean was always willing to serve.

Jean worked at various jobs during her life. She worked at the University of Utah, the Salt Lake City Police Department, and ended her career with Utah Legal Services, which provided free or reduce legal assistance to those in need. Because of her bi-lingual abilities, Jean served as a translator in every job she had, while assisting others and giving a voice to those who otherwise might have remained silent.

Jean was a very kind and generous women. She had a soft spot to those in need, and would even set aside some of her wants and needs, to assist others. As Jean needed some assistance from time to time with her finances, it was discovered she was giving to different charities, however, to Jean, there was no greater place to give than to the Lord. Jean was a full tithe payer. This was the first payment she made monthly. Because of her upbringing and hearing the stories as a youth from her mother about the great depression, and later as she was in need herself, Jean wanted to give back so that others who stood in need could be blessed, as she had been.

Jean is survived by her husband, Sabino; Children: David (Kim) Luna, Moroni (Randi) DeLuna, Sabino Milner, Esther (Doug) Cahoon, Laman (Janicka) Milner, Michael (Erin) DeLuna, James DeLuna, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 16th, at 11:00am at the Woods Cross 11th Ward, located 1335 West 1500 South Woods Cross, Utah 84087. Friends and family can visit Monday evening 6:00pm -8:00pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, and at the church Tuesday morning 10:00am-10:45am prior to the service. The Interment will follow at the Bountiful City Cemetery, located 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah.