"Every stitch is a step closer to heaven"

Edith Leona Merrill Whitworth, age 88, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016 surrounded by her family at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center from complications due to pneumonia.

Leona was born June 12, 1927 in Tooele, UT to Leonard Mouritsen Merrill and Edith Marie Smith Merrill as the oldest of 10 children. She grew up and attended schools in Tooele and Smithfield, UT and Thomas, ID.  She attended Utah State University where she met the love of her life, Joseph Wayne Whitworth.

Leona married Wayne on June 18, 1947 in the Logan, Utah Temple.  They made their homes Crystal City, Texas; Pullman, Washington; and finally Las Cruces, New Mexico where Wayne was a member of the faculty at New Mexico State University.  Along the way they were blessed with nine wonderful children. When Wayne did a year long research sabbatical in Condobolin, Australia, Leona learned to spin wool and loved creating her own yarns. After retirement, Leona and Wayne made their home in Idaho Falls to care for Leona's mother.

Leona was a loving wife, mother, gifted seamstress, and a virtuous woman who worked willingly with her hands, creating countless beautiful items for her family. When her family was young, she baked, canned and sewed to help provide for her family.  She was a gifted organizer and had a quick laugh and sense of humor. Leona loved people and had many friends that she kept in contact with. She loved to play games and frequently won rounds of Skipbo and Rummy Cube.  She had a great love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and his gospel. Her life was a reflection of obedience, compassion, and love for her family and others.

Leona was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in many callings including Primary President, Relief Society President, Temple Worker in the Idaho Falls Temple and, at age 87, a Primary Activity Day Leader (which was one of her favorite callings.) Leona and Wayne served missions at the Atlanta, Georgia Temple and at Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Missouri.  Leona was an active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Leona is survived by her 9 children, Verena (Terry) Booth, Cheyenne, WY; Clynn (Kathleen) Whitworth, Valley Center, CA; Timothy (Audrey) Whitworth, Sugar City, ID; Carla (Mike) Avant, Kanab, UT; Steve (Chris) Whitworth, Pensacola, FL; Katrina (Jimmy) Camp, Goodyear, AZ; Michael (Kathy) Whitworth, Rigby, ID; Jonathan (Holly) Whitworth, Ammon, ID; Seth (Gaylene) Whitworth, Muleshoe, TX.. She leaves a legacy of 39 grandchildren, and 68 great-grandchildren.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, J. Wayne Whitworth, and a sister, Wanda Hatch.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Idaho Falls 31st Ward Building, 1165 Azalea Dr. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Coltrin Mortuary and prior to the funeral services from 11:00-11:45 am.  Burial will be at 3 p.m. at the Riverside-Thomas Cemetery.

The family would like express their appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, friends, and ward members who gave her such loving care.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com