Reta Maralyn Morrison Allred passed away December 15, 2013 at her home in East Millcreek, Utah surrounded by her family. Maralyn was born August 10, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Arthur Wendell and Lydia Christensen Morrison. She graduated South High School in 1943. She married Clarence Eugene Allred on January 2, 1946 and their marriage was later solemnized in 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Mom’s greatest love was her husband, her children and their spouses and her posterity. She promoted a healthy lifestyle long before it became popular, raising her family on fresh baked whole wheat breads, home grown fruits and vegetables, low sugar and salt, homemade cookies and pies and the aroma of something delicious in the oven often greeted family and friends. Each summer her kitchen was “canning central” and she taught many of her children and grandchildren her food storage secrets. Mom always had a hot meal on the table for breakfast and dinner was promptly at 6 p.m. She knew how to balance a checkbook, get out any stain, was a skilled seamstress, could press a perfectly straight pleat, and often helped her boys deliver their early morning paper routes. For years, she supervised a small backyard chicken farm operation (the results of a son’s scout merit badge), providing fresh eggs (and chicken soup) to her family.
She encouraged her children to develop their talents and loved to watch and listen to them perform. Her favorite memories centered on trips to the Oakley “cabin’, family gathering for neighborhood Christmas caroling, holiday parties (with fireworks or donuts) and sleepovers with her grandchildren. She loved watching the snow fall in her backyard, the feel of the warm summer sun on her face, a chocolate cherry cordial and the sound of the arrival of her grandchildren through always unlocked front and back doors. Her beloved vocation was as a wife, mother, grandma and homemaker, but she also worked for Wasatch Plumbing Supply, JC Penny, Zions Bank and First Utah Bank.
Mom was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had an enduring testimony of the Savior. She set an example of generous, selfless love by often reaching out to those whom she found in need, regardless of their faith or background. She served in numerous ward and stake callings, including ward Primary and Relief Society president and was a faithful visiting teacher. She and Clarence served a mission in the Salt Lake Riverside Stake and as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake Temple.
She is survived by her husband and their six children and spouses; Evan (Carol) Allred, Lt. Col. (ret.) Joseph (Kathy) Allred, Arnold (Gigi) Allred, Alma (Robyn) Allred, David (Julie) Allred and Lisa (Bill) Morey; a sister, Gloria (Harry) Van Soolen; a sister-in-law, BJ (Arnold W. ‘Bud’) Morrison; 27 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, two nephews and one niece. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Bud. She had a large number of wonderful and caring friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 20, 2013 at Noon at the Valley View Stake Center, 2245 East 3900 South. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church Friday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Messages for the family can be posted at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com
