Clara Daphne Park Obituary (1927 - 2017)

Clara Daphne Park passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday May 4, 2017, surrounded by her family. Daphne was born in Nephi, Utah to her parents Stanzius Passey and Nellie Fern Park on April 26, 1927. She was the third of seven children. Throughout Daphne's life, she has had a strong work ethic. As a child, she would help out on her father's farm and with household duties and would collect produce for her church. She had fond memories watching films at the theater where her father worked. She was an astute student and received accolades for her grades and attendance. She graduated from Juab High School in 1945, having participated in both the newspaper and the year book committee. Daphne was also listed as one of the Faculty Favorites. In her adult life, Daphne worked as a switchboard operator for the Bell Company where she made many life-long friends. Her work ethic continued throughout her career, where she was recognized for Perfect Attendance to the day she retired. Daphne loved to travel with her sisters and friends and has visited many wonderful places. Even at 88, she road tripped to the Oregon Coast for the first time. She saw waterfalls, enjoyed the beach and braved a turbulent boat ride to see whales breach. When Daphne retired, she moved in with her niece, Melanie Smith (David Stevens), to care for their daughters, Megan and Tiffany Stevens. Melanie married Brandon Rowley and later, their son, Liam Rowley completed the family. Daphne, known as Auntie, loved Melanie and her children and raised them as her own. She enjoyed participating in their lives and activities and cheered them on in everything they did. She was also committed to all of her nieces and nephews. She loved getting to visit with them and never missed a birthday. One of her favorite activities was to go down to Nephi to visit her sisters, Denee and Melba and their families. She would stay for weeks and loved the Ute Stampede. Daphne was a devout member of the LDS church. She loved the members of her ward, going to the temple and visiting teaching. She had a strong testimony and was Christ-like in everything she did. She was quiet, shy and unassuming. She was also one of the most fiercely kind, loving, constant, strong, generous, stubborn, and forgiving people around. She was very loved and will be greatly missed. Daphne is survived by her sister, Melba Jensen, sisters-in-law, Ann Park and Theral Park, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Stanzius and Nellie, and siblings: Kenneth and Eva Park, Denee and Ray Stephenson, Elbert Jensen, Neil Park, Boyd Park, Sharon and Michael Smith. The family would like to thank Elevation Hospice for their care, love and support through the last 6 month of Daphne's life. A special Thank you to Daphne's two CNA's Julieta and Fernanda, nurses Kim, Bonnie, Beverly and Barbara; social worker Amy, and chaplain Juliann. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for becoming our family and taking care of our Auntie with love and dignity. Viewing will be held at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary 1007 West South Jordan Parkway (10600 So.), South Jordan, UT 84095 Tuesday, May 9, 2017 from 6:30 p.m.to 8:00 pm . Funeral Service will be held at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 222 South 100 East Nephi Utah 84648 Wednesday, May 10, 2017 from 11:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. Viewing will precede the service from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment at Nephi City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that you use the money to donate to the charity of your choice as she donated to so many noble causes during her life. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095