Rita Ann Liddiard Anderson's Obituary
Rita Ann Anderson
July 3, 1940-May 7, 2020
Our angel Mother, Rita Ann Liddiard Anderson passed away on May 7, 2020 at the age of 79. She left a legacy of service and love. Rita was a light to all who knew her. Rita’s home was filled with love and laughter. She was a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and friend. All who knew Rita, felt of her love and devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shared her testimony of Jesus Christ by word and example. Rita knew her role as a daughter of God and disciple of Jesus Christ. She loved her family and they knew of her love for them.
Rita was born on July 3, 1940 in Provo Utah. She was the only child of Charles Austin Liddiard and Anna Eliza Johnson. She was dearly loved by her parents and grandparents. Her grandfather, Samuel George Liddiard called Rita his “Little Princess.”
Rita grew up in a brick home her father built on 167 North 1100 West in Provo, Utah. She had the blessing of living next to her Grandmother, Clara Ladelle Peay. She spent many hours in her home. Throughout her early childhood, she enjoyed playing with cousins and friends. Rita missed half of kindergarten and half of first grade due to Rheumatic Fever. Because of her illness, many early childhood memories were forgotten, but Rita remembered her Mother teaching her about Heavenly Father and telling her Bible stories as she ironed. Rita loved to roller skate and became quite skilled in roller skate dancing. She also loved horses and pretended a neighbor’s horse was her own. She named it Gracie Dell. Rita enjoyed singing and participated in a female choral group called “The Mel-o-tones”, in high school. She passed that love of music on to her children.
Rita’s life forever changed when she met a young man named Roy. He would often come at dusk and hunt nightcrawlers in her backyard. Their first date was in the summer of 1956 when they went to see Louis Armstrong at Lagoon. The fall of 1956 they went to see Nat King Cole. As they held hands, he sang the song they would call their own, “When I Fall In Love.” On November 6, 1957 they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Roy and Rita were blessed with 7 children. The concrete stork Grandpa Chuck constructed for good luck worked!
Rita filled their home with music as their children enjoyed singing together around the piano. The value of work was taught as gardening and canning became part of each summer. Rita loved to fish as a child with her Father and she passed this on to her children and grandchildren.
She loved nature and being outdoors. Many memories of working in the garden, camping, fishing, hiking, and singing around the campfire with the family, will be cherished.
Rita was a great example of selflessness, and service. She served in Young Womens for many years, and served as Relief Society President in American Fork and in St. George. She worked hard in finding her ancestors, and enjoyed doing geneology. She loved being at the Temple and served as an ordinance worker for many years.
In the “Golden Years” of her life, Rita and Roy enjoyed serving in the St. George temple and later as missionaries at the temple visitor center, and at the Jacob Hamblin home in Santa Clara Utah. After their mission, visits to the temple became a weekly tradition. In the “forward” of Rita’s autobiography she states, “Going to the temple often, reading the scriptures daily, and conversing with my Heavenly Father through personal and family prayer, are my three vital sources of spiritual strength.”
We will be forever grateful for our Angel Mother, Rita Ann.
Rita was preceded in death by her beloved husband Roy, who passed away April 15, 2020.
Rita is survived by her children: Alan Liddiard (Terri), Maren Jeannine (Brett Bennett), Annalee (Bardett Fausett), Diane (Kevin Ciriako), Lisa (J. Reed Findlay), Richard Todd (Debbie), and Sheri Lyn (Jacob Benoist); 27 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, with 5 more on the way.
A small family viewing will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 10:00 am at Premier Funeral Services in Orem. The graveside service will be at Eastlawn Memorial in Provo, Utah, that same day, at noon.
Funeral Services at Graveside
Conducting……………………………………..……Richard Anderson (son)
Chorister……………………………………………Diane Ciriako (daughter)
Opening Hymn…………………………….……………………………..……#292 “Oh My Father”
Invocation………………………………………Annalee Fausett (daughter)
Memories by Daughter………………………………………Maren Bennett
Memories by Daughter………………………………….……Diane Ciriako
Memories by Daughter…………………………………….…Sheri Benoist
Music Number (Viola) by Granddaughter......................…Tessa Day “When I Fall In Love”
Life Sketch…………………………………………….Lisa Findlay (daughter)
Music Number by Daughters…..Maren, Annalee, Diane, Lisa, Sheri
”Because I Have Been Given Much”
Gospel Message………………………………………..…….…Bardett Fausett
Closing Song (Everyone)….…..…………#190 (Children’s Songbook)
“Love is Spoken Here”
Dedication of the Grave……………………….….…Patriarch Carl Draper
Mom was always so dedicated in her daily journal writing.
“Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for ever and ever.”
Isaiah 30:8
To view services please visit, https://youtu.be/VWNfZ2CglbQ
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