Merlyn Johnson Leetham Fox's Obituary
Merlyn Johnson Leetham Fox
Merlyn Johnson Leetham Fox born on July 19, 1935 in Logan Utah passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 3, 2021 from pancreatic cancer. Merlyn married Joel Edison Leetham on February 20, 1953 in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple. Merlyn and Joel had five children: Brian, Suzanne, Ken, Cheryl and Rich. Merlyn was an accomplished musician playing the piano and organ from the time she was a very young girl. She also had a wonderful soprano singing voice and performed hundreds of piano, organ and singing concerts throughout her life. Merlyn joined the Santa Clara Chorale and sang for many years with some of her closest friends and her three oldest children who were also members of the Chorale. She worked hard to spread her talent and love of music by teaching grandchildren and dozens of students the piano and organ. Hundreds of people have been blessed by her talents and love of music.
Merlyn has lived her life to the fullest with her even temperament and sense of humor. Aside from her music, she has enjoyed traveling, painting, reading and watching “Jeopardy!” She has the ability to make people feel like they are her best friends, and, as a result, has so many friends of all ages who are dear to her. She is well known for being incredibly thoughtful, whether it be inviting a new neighbor or others who might need a friend over for an afternoon of lunch and entertainment, making homemade caramels for her Choir members at Christmas, dropping off a bag of her caramel popcorn, taking time to write a kind note when someone would do something special for her, attending special activities and events to support family members or playing a mean game of cards with grandchildren as they confided in her.
Merlyn loved her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held many callings including leading both youth and adult choirs and playing the organ for thousands of church meetings. In July, 1986, Merlyn and Joel served for three years in the Philippine Quezon City Mission, where they treated the missionaries as if they were their own children. In 1992, Merlyn and Joel moved to Sandy, Utah where they have been beloved members of the Willow Creek 7th and 9th Wards. Merlyn loves her family, friends, neighbors and fellow church members.
Merlyn’s family extends its warmest gratitude to the kind and capable professionals who assisted her at the Huntsman Cancer Center. She received amazing care from the best doctors, nurses and assistants in the world and we will always be thankful for their attentive, capable and loving kindness to our mother. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the many neighbors, friends and fellow church members who brought food, flowers, comfort and joy to mom for so many weeks and months. The family will be making a donation to the Huntsman Cancer Center and requests that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Merlyn also make similar donations.
Merlyn is survived by her loving husband LaMar Fox and four stepsons (Mark, Guy, Christopher, and Scott) and their families; Five children Brian (Kathy), Son-in-law Scott Bonham, Ken (Mindy), Cheryl (Joel) and Rich; sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great grand-children and her brother James Johnson (Lonna). Preceded in death by her parents, her brother Deverl Johnson, her devoted and beloved eternal companion Joel Leetham and her sweet daughter Suzanne Bonham.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the LDS church building located at 2115 East Creek Road. Due to ongoing concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19, the family has decided to NOT have a viewing for Merlyn. There will be an interment at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 11, 2021 at the Holladay Memorial Cemetery at 4900 S. Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah. Funeral services may be viewed online at www.willowcreekstake.com
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