Luella Wheeler Finlinson 1911 ~ 2010
Luella Wheeler Finlinson passed away on
Sunday, June 13, 2010, at the Intermountain
Medical Center in Murray, Utah within three
months of her 99th birthday from complications
related to a stroke.
She was a lifelong resident of the South Cottonwood
region of Murray. Luella was born on
September 11, 1911 to Jesse Hyrum and Rena Doty Wheeler.
She was raised on the Vine Street Wheeler Farm.
While Luella never moved far from her original home,
she traveled the world and touched the lives of many people.
Luella lived an active life, full of family, faith and service.
In the weeks before her passing, she hosted a family dinner,
directed the Memorial Day decorating of graves,
attended a play, baked cupcakes for her oldest great-grandchild's
13th birthday and lead the music in her ward Relief Society meeting.
Luella was the ultimate example of enduring to the end
with grace, charm and determination.
Education was always important to her.
Luella attended Woodstock Elementary,
and Granite High School, and graduated with a teaching degree
from the University of Utah with High Honors in 1933.
While attending the U, Luella became a member
of the Delta Gamma Sorority and participated in a
"DG" sponsored social and philanthropic activities
for the rest of her life. As a DG, Luella participated in
testing preschool children for "lazy eye blindness."
After graduation, Luella continued to test preschool children
and eventually served as an officer of the
Utah Society For The Prevention of Blindness.
The last time she tested preschool children
was in the Spring of 2010.
Luella taught school for six years in the Murray,
Granite and Jordan School Districts.
At the U, Luella met and later married
Fred Lyman Finlinson on June 13, 1939 in the Salt Lake Temple.
They are the parents of three children,
Fred, David (deceased) and Judy.
Music was an important part of Luella's life.
She was a member of the Tabernacle Choir for 28 years,
which provided her historic opportunities,
like the first European Concert tour and the
first satellite TV broadcast.
Luella sang in her ward choir all of her adult life
and loved attending musical performances.
Luella was actively engaged in civic, social, political,
legal and church activities.
She as served in almost every position in the PTA,
on elementary and secondary levels.
Luella has served on the Women's State Legislative Council,
initially representing the LDS Relief Society.
Her last session was the 2010 General Session
ending in March of this year.
Luella was also active in the
Utah Women's Republican Club and the
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
Her mother, Rena Doty Wheeler,
was one of the founders of the
Cottonwood Maternity Home.
Luella has followed her mother's example
and has served in support of health care.
Luella has served on the Amicus Board.
Since 1976, she has been a member
of the Cottonwood-Alta View Health Care Foundation
and then as a member of the
Deseret Foundation for the IHC Hospitals in Salt Lake Valley.
Luella received special recognition awards f
rom each organization that she served in;
but far more important than the awards,
were the friends she journeyed with along the way.
A faithful member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
she always had a calling.
The Relief Society, however, was always dear to Luella's heart,
serving as the Ward Relief Society President,
Stake Relief Society President,
and as a member of the General Board.
Luella was released on 6th of June, 2010
from her assignment as the Ward Relief Society Chorister.
Luella's greatest calling was "Mother"
and her greatest devotion was to her family.
Luella rarely missed a dance recital,
piano concert or birthday of any of her grandchildren
and her great grandchildren.
Her home was the site of countless
parties and Sunday dinners.
Luella's high point was Christmas Eve
as her family gathered in her living room
to sing Christmas carols and
read from Luke about the birth of Christ.
"Believing Blood" ran deep in Luella
and she passed the strength of her testimony
in the Savior and the restored gospel on to her family.
She is survived by her son Fred (Chris) Finlinson
and her daughter Judy (John) Lever, 16 grandchildren,
14 grandchildren spouses,
and 32 great-grandchildren.
Luella was preceded in death by her parents,
her siblings, her husband, Fred,
her son, David, daughter-in-law, Jeanne Finlinson
and son-in-law, John Lever.
Funeral services will be held on
Saturday, June 19, 2010, at the
South Cottonwood Chapel, 5600 South and Vine Street,
Murray, Utah. The services will start at 12:00 p.m.
There will be viewings on
Friday, June 18, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
and Saturday, June 19, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
at the South Cottonwood Chapel.
Interment will be at the Murray City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the Family suggests a
contribution to the Perpetual Education Fund.
Online condolences at
www.jenkins-soffe.comWhat an inspiration that this woman has been to me all of my life!
She radiated class, poise, and elegance!
Every activity that our family held
was acknowledged by Aunt Luella,
and we always knew that we were important to her
... despite her very busy schedule!
I hope that somehow, through my living,
I will be able to pay tribute to the great legacy
and example that was set by this tremendous woman!
The world will miss her,
but I am sure that the heavens
are rejoicing with her return!
