Miriam "Mirm" Elizabeth Parker Ellett Obituary (1919 - 2010)

"Mirm"With sadness, we announce the passing of our sister, aunt, wife, stepmother and friend, Miriam Elizabeth Parker Ellett (known throughout her life as Mirm), on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the age of 91. Mirm was born February 17, 1919 in Blenheim, South Carolina to John David and Ruth Hudson Parker. In 1924, the Parker family of seven moved to Utah where Mirm resided the rest of her life.She graduated from West High at the age of 16 in 1935 and then enrolled at LDS Business College. The following year, she won first place in the Highest Speed Event Shorthand Division of the International Schools Contest in Chicago. The next year, she was awarded a Diamond Gold Medal by the Gregg Company for taking dictation at 200 words per minute—at the time, the only one awarded in Utah.After working for LDS College, she became a fulltime court reporter for about 40 years, with the majority of these reporting for Judge A.H. Ellett. While doing her court reporting, she graduated from the U of U in 1961 and was made a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society in recognition of High Attainment in Liberal Scholarship. In 1969 she received her Juris Doctorate from the U of U Law School, passed the Utah Bar Exams and became one of the first 100 women lawyers in the history of Utah.She married Justice Ellett, December 27, 1975 and they spent 11 happy years together before his passing on November 30, 1986. In her later years, Mirm traveled all over the world, never letting a few months go by without making another trip.Mirm was a most faithful, active member of the LDS Church, giving of her time literally from cradle to the grave.Although Mirm had no children of her own, her siblings and family acquired by her marriage to Judge Ellett were the center and love of her life. She was always there for any family occasion, never missing births, deaths, weddings or parties.She is survived by her four brothers, George A. (Ranee) of Logan, UT, Moroni (Joan) of Salt Lake City, UT, William A. (Elaine) of West Valley City, UT, and Curtis A. Parker of New York City. She is also survived by her Ellett family, Kenneth (Lenore) of West Jordan, UT, Walter (Claudia) of Murray, UT, and Jeanne Parks of Diamond Bar, CA. Also survived by numerous nephews and nieces—many of whom looked on Mirm as their grandmother. Preceded in death by sisters, Vivian Green and Mary Alice Smith; and brothers, Dave and Pat.Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 17, 2010, at 12:30 p.m. at the Spanish Fork Cemetery. Friends and family may pay their respects Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday morning from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street, Murray, UT.In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS Humanitarian Fund.