Venita Capson Parrish

Venita Capson Parrish, born March 23, 1926 in East Millcreek, Utah, passed away from causes incident to age on September 21, 2016 at her home in Centerville.  Venita is the daughter of Oscar and Mildred Patterson Capson of East Millcreek.  She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as a sister, Helen Jolley of Salt Lake City. 

Venita grew up surrounded by her family in East Millcreek.  She chose to pursue a nursing career, despite her parents’ objections that she didn’t need to leave her good job at a factory to pursue years of training and education.  She received her nurse’s training at the LDS Hospital School of Nursing where she lived in the nurses’ home with other trainees who became her lifelong friends.  She graduated from training in December, 1946 and earned her BS in nursing education from the University of Utah in June, 1947.

She served an LDS mission to the Central States from 1950 to 1951.  Afterwards, she returned home to resume her nursing career. She worked at LDS Hospital and Utah Trade Tech as a head nurse, a staff nurse, and as a nursing educator.  She also worked for WIC as a nursing authority.  In her community, she was often called on to offer nursing advice and help.  

In April, 1955, she married David F. Parrish.  They are the parents of five children: Laura (Drew) Coleman, Blair (Cynthia) Parrish, Ellen Parrish, Emily Parrish, and Tim Parrish.  They have seven grandchildren,  Celia Coleman, Clyde Coleman, Jessica (Kyle) Boulden, Kjerstin (Dan) Vasquez, Carly Parrish, Zoe Rhyne, and Grace Rhyne, and three great-grandchildren, Libbi Marie, David, and Lincoln. 

Venita will be remembered for her service to others, for her love of her family and friends, for her indomitable commitment to fairness and justice, as well as her championing of all the underdogs in our world.  She has been the practical voice in our lives who acts to improve the world instead of wringing her hands in despair.  She has maintained her role as the advice-giver in our family despite her declining health.  She has been a great farmer’s wife, supporting her husband as he grew more than she could can, freeze, or preserve.  Her love of the simple pleasures of life—fresh tomatoes, a rousing card game, homemade bread, and a family dinner created from the produce grown in their garden—will stay with us as we mourn her passing.  

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Parrish Heights Ward, 610 Rowland Way, Centerville, Utah.  There will be a viewing on Sunday, September 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Russon Brothers Mortuary (295 N. Main, Bountiful) and a second viewing from 9:45 to 10:45 AM at the Rowland Way chapel on Monday before the funeral.