Phyllis Alene Merrill Norton, 98, passed away October 1, 2008, at Sunshine Terrace in Logan, Utah, from complications after a fall.
Born November 30, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, Phyllis was the youngest child of Albert Marion and Julia Etta Lewis Merrill. She grew up in Brigham City, Sandy, and Ogden, Utah, where her father served as principal of Box Elder, Jordan, and Ogden High Schools. She graduated from the University of Utah and taught home economics at Wasatch High School prior to her marriage to E. Virgil Norton on August 4, 1932. They spent their married years in Centerville and Salt Lake City. Virgil died July 3, 1996.
Phyllis was a kind, sensitive, and loving mother, wife, friend, and neighbor. Her life exemplified the old-fashioned virtues of patience, thrift, humility, forgiveness, and courtesy. She had a quick wit and enjoyed reading and watching “Jeopardy.” She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She is survived by her four children: Nancy (John) Carlisle, Logan; Michael (Marilyn) Norton, San Marcos, California; Jane (Robert) Daynes, Oceanside, California; and Robert (Cindy) Norton, Salt Lake City. At the time of her death, Phyllis had 25 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren. Preceding Phyllis in death were her brothers, Bert and Lewis Jack Merrill, and her sisters, Ramona Watson and Helen Chandler.
A memorial service will be conducted in the Yalecrest Ward, 1035 S. 1800 East, Salt Lake City, at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 11. Burial will be at 3:30 PM in the Logan City Cemetery, 1200 East 1000 North in Logan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Sunshine Terrace Foundation, 248 West 300 North, Logan UT 84321. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at
www.allenmortuaries.net
.