Orpha Elizabeth Merrick Wright Obituary (1939 - 2015)

February 19, 1939 to August 3, 2015 Loving Mother of six, seamstress, and lover of flowers and classic movies. Born in Pasadena, California, the city of roses, to Frank Kidd and Mildred Esther Merrick, Orpha stood as the last child, only daughter and fraternal twin to one of six talented and loving brothers. With little in financial means, entertainment took many creative avenues including brother inspired chases with snakes. Not everything to Mom was sticks and stones though. Mom would earn the title of Homecoming Queen and later graduate from school in her true hometown of Jordanville, New York. With few long term financial prospects in a rural farming community, Orpha spread her wings to nearby Richfield Springs where she took a position as a legal secretary. In Utica, New York at the age of twenty one she would be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Eventually, she would meet her sweetheart, while attending a local Sunday service. It was love at first sight as she recognized him as her future husband. Little does a farm girl know what she is getting into when she decides to marry a military man. The eternal marriage began May 25, 1961 in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. Her earthly union to Ivan Cleeo Wright of Millcreek, Utah would take her across the United States and even to Tachikawa, Japan. Continental stops included Rome, New York; Biloxi, Mississippi; Denver, Colorado; Falls Church, Virginia; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Along the way, six children were born, who in turn have delivered 27 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Special pride was taken in creating a warm home atmosphere, where children were well fed and given homemade gifts crafted with love. Orpha would spend joyful hours tending flowers, appreciating God's creation, and sharing it with others. Over the years, careful attention was given to loving friends with whom long chats, hearty laughs, tender tears, and scary and classic movies were shared. Later in life, the eternal companions would serve a full time mission as directors of the Mormon Handcart Visitors' Center where they worked hard together in the harsh Wyoming climate to bless the lives of others and be blessed by the loving missionaries and residents whom they served. With her passing, Orpha is survived by her adoring husband Ivan Cleeo Wright; her children; Leslie Ann (Jeff), Cleeo Wayne (Keli), Elizabeth Esther (Jeff), David Sterling (Heidi), Evonne Michelle (Cort), and Christopher William (Cydne). She is also survived by her brothers Frank "Bud", Walter, Gary, and her twin Wayne. She is preceded in death by her parents Mildred and Frank, her oldest brother Bill, and her brother Larry. Orpha will be missed, but always cherished. A viewing will be held Friday night, August 7, 2015 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home located at 4760 South State Murray, Utah. The following morning, August 8th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm another viewing will be held at the 6100 South Kamas Drive (2480 West) Taylorsville, Utah LDS meetinghouse. Later, funeral Services will be held at this same location from 1 pm until 2 pm. Burial services will then commence 2:30 pm at Redwood Memorial Cemetery located at 6500 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.jenkins-soffe.com. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 South State Street Murray, UT 84107