Retta Whiteman Critchley

On Monday, May 20, 2019, Retta Whiteman Critchley passed away at her home in Bountiful, Utah after a brief illness. Retta was born to Joseph and Amy Whiteman on August 25, 1940 in Blyth, Northumberland, England; the second of their four children. When Retta was 11 her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Centerville, then later Bountiful, Utah. She graduated from Bountiful High School then enrolled in beauty school. Soon after graduating from beauty school, Retta met the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Critchley. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 10, 1961. The couple resided in Bountiful, Utah where they raised their four children.
Retta ran a hair salon in her home for more than 40 years and, until very recently, continued to work with several longtime customers. Retta was very creative and artistic and was an accomplished seamstress, making many of her own clothes. She belonged to the singing group, Sweet Adelines, for several years and enjoyed performing in her ward choir. She was a member of the literary club "Femme de Lettres" for nearly 40 years where she made lifelong friends. As a group they gave back to the community in meaningful ways, such as sponsoring a scholarship and making donations to the food bank.
Always willing to help others in the neighborhood or at church, Retta provided countless dinners, gave many car rides, and helped dozens of kids with reading at a local elementary school. Her great love for classical music led her to serve as a member of the Utah Symphony Guild, where she volunteered to usher events. Retta was very patriotic and becoming a citizen of the United States was very important to her. As a result, she volunteered as a neighborhood election poll worker for many years.
A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Retta served her ward in many different capacities in the Relief Society, as Young Women's President, as a Cub Scouts den mother, and as a visiting teacher. She also volunteered for several years as a tour guide on Temple Square in Salt Lake City and later served in the Bountiful Temple. Retta had a love for genealogy and spent a lot of time researching her family's history.
Retta was a wonderful mother, not only to her own kids but to the neighborhood children as well. All were welcome and well fed in her home – with home-made bread, chocolate chip cookies, and wonderful memories. Those traditions continued later with her grandchildren.
Retta is survived by her husband Richard; her four children: Carolyn James, Christine Critchley (Laniece Roberts), David Critchley, and Brian Critchley (Lisa Callister); her eleven grandchildren: Amy, Nicole, Anika, Kailey, Brooklyn, Aria, Chase, Keyton, Jonah, Cameron, and Harper; as well as her brothers: Ivan Whiteman (Linda) and Owen Whiteman (Yolanda). Retta was preceded in death by her mother Amy, her father Joseph, her sister Shirley Akelund (Terry), and her son-in-law Mike James.
A viewing will be held at the Russon Mortuary, 295 N Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, on Monday, May 27, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bountiful Woodland Hills Ward, located at 640 South 750 East in Bountiful, Utah, where friends may call before the service from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow in the Bountiful City Cemetery.