Myrna Meeks Pratt Fitt

On February 14, 2025, Myrna Pratt-Fitt (née Meeks) returned home to her Heavenly Father at the age of 90, surrounded by her cherished family. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering generosity touched countless lives, and she leaves a rich legacy of loving others as the Savior would. As a mentor and mother figure to many, she always found ways to open her heart and home to help others in need. Myrna was born December 6, 1934, in Kanab, Utah, to Wilford Priddy Meeks and Cora Whittaker. Her best friends and schoolmates growing up in Kanab were her 24 cousins who lived nearby. After graduating from high school in 1953, she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she worked as a bookkeeper at Continental Bank. Myrna fell in love and married F. Lewis Pratt on December 13, 1957, in the St. George Temple for time and all eternity. Their courtship continued for 53 beautiful years with acts of kindness and service, and gifts of roses and jewelry. The newlyweds’ first home was in Salt Lake City. Here they welcomed their first two children, Robert and Lori. In 1962, the family moved to Lehi, Utah, where they welcomed Linda and Kenneth to the family. In 1967, the family moved to Orem and, with the help of Myrna’s father, built a new home. It was in this home that they raised their children to adulthood. The family was very self-sufficient, living on three-fourths of an acre with lambs, chickens, calves, pets, and a substantial garden, which provided an ideal country life for a family with four energetic children. Family life had its happinesses and hardships. Both Myrna and Lewis were filled with immense joy and pride when their oldest son, Robert, was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nagoya, Japan. The family was left heartbroken when Elder Pratt was called home by his Heavenly Father while on his mission. Although his death was devastating, it did not change their devotion to the Savior. Years later, Myrna and Lewis were again blessed with the same feelings of joy when their youngest child, Kenneth, accepted a call to serve in San Antonio, Texas. In 1979, Lewis and Myrna demonstrated their love for others by welcoming Laura Despain into their home. Laura quickly became one of the girls and was considered a daughter from the moment she moved in. With pride, Myrna numbered Laura’s children as her grandkids. Myrna taught her children how to overcome trials, the value of hard work and prudent living, and the sweetness found in achieving long-term goals. To help offset the cost of their home in Orem, Myrna started a part-time job at Brigham Young University in 1968, working in the Benefits Office and quickly ascending to Assistant Manager. Five years later, she was promoted to Equal Opportunity Officer, becoming one of the first women in the country to hold this position. She finished her 30-year career as BYU’s Manager of Employment Services in 1998. Myrna served 14 years on the BYU’s Women’s Advisory Committee. As a part of this committee, Myrna championed combating sexism in the workplace and advocated for the women working on campus. As chairperson of the Administrative Advisory Committee and a member of the Equal Opportunity Committee, she influenced policy and benefits changes for staff, particularly for women. When they formed a local chapter in Utah County, Myrna served as President of the Utah County chapter of the National Society for Human Resource Management and later, President of the State of Utah chapter. In addition to her professional contributions, Myrna was also instrumental in the founding of Utah Community Credit Union, serving on their initial Credit Committee. Myrna understood the importance and benefits of education, especially for women. She achieved one of her lifetime goals when she graduated from BYU with an associate degree in Family Relations and later with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development. Myrna worked diligently towards this goal over the course of twenty years by attending night classes while working full-time, participating on professional committees, serving in various church callings, and, most importantly, raising four children. Throughout their lives together, Myrna and Lewis served side-by-side in several capacities for the Church. Together they served in a Married BYU Student Ward and acted as part-time missionaries in the Welfare and Employment Center department of the Church. She also served as a teacher and as an advisor to the young women of the Church—callings that matched her passion for education and mentorship. Myrna and Lewis built their retirement home in Mapleton, Utah. They loved their retirement. Myrna spent her newfound free time with family—especially her grandchildren—traveling and working on genealogy. She was particularly excited that she finally had time to take the oil painting lessons she’d wanted to take for years. In her journal she wrote, “…we have lived to see the fulfillment of our dreams, all our children are in good marriages, and the mothers are at home with our grandchildren almost a rarity these days. Of all the employment, educational, and volunteer opportunities, the ‘positions’ that were the most gratifying were being a wife, a mother, and a church member.” Myrna and Lewis always wished to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints together. The goal, however, was suspended when Lewis passed away of leukemia in 2010. We are happy that she is now at his side realizing the completion of this goal. Through a mutual friend, she met Robert Fitt in 2014. Together, they shared the grief of losing a spouse, a passion for art, and a love of the gospel. Their friendship grew into a romance, and they were married on October 28, 2015, in Springville, Utah. Towards the end of Myrna’s life, Robert’s daily visits provided her with great comfort and support. Myrna will always be remembered for her life of devotion to family, service to others, and a commitment to living the Savior's teachings. Myrna had a remarkable ability to connect with people with her innate kindness and generosity. Myrna’s passions included art, time with family, family history, photography, exploring the beauty of nature, and traveling the world to explore the local traditions and cultures, including two trips to Japan to learn more about the country and the people her son Robert had loved so much. Mom, Grandma—we love you and are grateful for the countless memories we have with you. Thank you for your example and your love. Myrna is survived by her children, Lori Anne (Ross) Gull; Linda Kaye (Jim) Brooks; Kenneth Wayne (Lynette); Laura (Brent) Stagg; and husband Robert Fitt. She has 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis Lewis, son Robert Lewis, parents Wilford and Cora Meeks, and brothers Boyd, Vard, Kelvin, and Bruce. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, February 22 at the LDS Chapel, 1580 North Main Street, Mapleton, Utah. Visitors may call from 9:00 – 9:45 am. Funeral services 10:00 am with family luncheon to follow. Interment will be held at the Orem Cemetery at 2:00 pm. The zoom link to watch a live stream of the funeral, beginning at 10:00am is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4352158801

Myrna Meeks Pratt Fitt

December 6, 1934 - February 14, 2025