Rhea Leth Maughan Anderson

On a beautiful Sabbath morning, just before sunrise, the clouds from the weekend storm broke, and Rhea Anderson peacefully departed this mortal life. She passed while in the company of her dear husband, Richard. She left a legacy of love, service, and faith, and a passion for developing and sharing talents.

Playing the piano was one of Rhea’s early talents. By the time she was in third grade, she had already become the designated accompanist for elementary school performances. She accompanied choirs wherever she went, including a special performance in the Sydney Opera House. Other talents followed. She painted. She could often be heard asking Richard to stop the car so that she could take a picture of a dilapidated barn that could be the subject of a future piece of art. She quilted. Her quilts were masterpieces of design and love, given as gifts for special occasions. She finished her most recent quilt just last week, a celebration of a grand-daughter’s upcoming wedding. She was a master gardener. She wrote plays and poems. She was a gifted letter-writer, with family and friends looking forward to her weekly chronicles.

Her talents were a way for her to serve and to share. She taught piano and organ to hundreds of students throughout her life, even during her eighties. She taught English to a prince of the ruling royal family in Jordan. Closer to home, she read books to her children, and even recorded herself reading books for the grandchildren. She served faithfully in dozens of callings as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, coaching Cub Scouts and advising fellow sisters. She and Richard served both proselyting and service church missions, in Jordan, Cyprus, Australia, and in Utah. She served quietly, wherever she was needed.

Her greatest love was her family, complemented by her faith. She and Richard were married sixty-four years during which time they raised, with Christ-like patience, six children. Rhea also taught and set an example for her eighteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Rhea is survived by her loving husband, Richard, and by children Kerrie Mickelson, Robert (Pam), Mike (Andrea), Kevin (Cheryl), Kristen (Brian) Sorensen, and Tom (Sharise). She is also survived by two brothers – Gaylord (Tammy) Maughan and Gary (Carol) Maughan – a sister-in-law Shirley Maughan, and two brothers-in-law – George (Leona) Anderson and Thomas (Sharon) Anderson. She was preceded in death by her brothers Dale (Jean), Dean (Virgie), and Charles Maughan and also her sister Marian (LaMar) Syndergard.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Thursday, October 14, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Russon Mortuary located at 295 N. Main St. in Bountiful, Utah. An additional viewing will be held on Friday, October 15, from 9:30 to 10:30am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel located at 540 N. 1200 E. in Bountiful, Utah. The funeral service will be held at the chapel at 11:00am. All are welcome. A graveside service will follow at Memorial Lakeview Cemetery located at 1640 Lakeview Dr., also in Bountiful.

The funeral service will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page. A link to the page will be provided below on the day of the service.