I thought I'd share her obituary followed by my talk.
Elva Moon 1926 ~ 2011 WOODLAND, UT - Elva Utahna Kinsey Moon, age 84, passed away at her home May 6, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. Elva was born on September 20, 1926 in Midway, Utah. She married George Douglas Moon in Santa Barbara, California on August 14, 1945. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 17, 1963. He passed away on October 8, 2008. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed her service in various callings as a Primary teacher, visiting teacher and service in the Relief Society. She loved attending and doing temple work. She enjoyed hunting and camping with her family, baking & candymaking, gardening, handiwork & crafts. She is survived by her sons Kenneth L. (Jolene) Moon, Woodland; Gary G. (Jill) Moon, Heber City; daughter-in-law Linda Moon, Heber City, a brother, Ray (Rose) Kinsey, Heber City, Utah and a sister, Betty Kinsey Guinn, American Fork. Also 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren She is preceded in death by her husband, George; a daughter, Linda E. Breeden; a son Jesse D. Moon; grandson, Robbie Breeden, and two brothers Ralph and Harold and three sisters Wanda, Eva and Della. Funeral service will be on Monday, May 16, 2011, at 12:00 noon in the Woodland LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call at the church on Monday 10:30 a.m to 11:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Crandall Funeral Home, Kamas
Although I’m saddened by the passing of Grandma Moon I’m grateful for all of the wonderful memories I have of her.
When we were young Jerel, Tahnie and I would go to her house several times a day. I’m grateful I was able to grow up next door to her and for all of the wonderful times we spent together.
Grandma was one of the best cooks around. Some of the best memories I have of Grandma center's around food. Every Memorial Day we would go and put flowers on the graves at the Woodland Cemetery. Afterwards extended family would gather at my Grandma’s house for an outside picnic complete with fried chicken, potato salad, and a lot of other wonderful food. It was a great family reunion we had every year.
My siblings and I all loved helping Grandma make her homemade Root Beer. All of the ingredients went into an empty glass Apple Cider jug, and was then set out in the sun for what seemed like hours and hours, but after that first sip it was worth the agonizing wait!
Every Thanksgiving Tahnie and I would wake up early and go to my Grandma’s House. We loved watching her cook. We would try and help, but I’m sure we were probably in her way more than we helped. She never made us feel that way though.
My Grandma also used to make homemade chocolates every Christmas. She would make what seemed like hundreds in all different flavors! I think during Dec. I would go to her house even more than usual just to eat those yummy chocolates!
By the time I was 11, I would spent a lot of time with Grandma looking through cookbooks and cooking magazines, like Taste of Home. We would find new recipes to make. She was always sharing great recipes with me to try. One Christmas my Grandma gave all of her Granddaughters a handwritten cookbook that contained some of her favorite recipes. She worked for months and months on those. I remember she was almost always working on them when I would go to her house during the summer. I’m so grateful to have that cookbook written in my Grandma’s own handwriting. A lot of my love of baking comes from her.
My brother, Jerel, remembers going to the mountains with Grandma to gather wild grapes, and Tahnie and I remember helping Grandma gather choke cherries so she could make them into jelly, syrup, and juice. My Dad remembers the house smelling like baking bread and he loved when my Grandma canned chili sauce.
My Grandma and Grandpa always had a good sized garden when we were growing up. Most of the time we weren’t allowed into the garden, but every once in awhile Grandma would let Tahnie and me in to help pick peas. We would then sit on the front porch and help her shell them and talk.
My Grandma didn’t spoil us with a lot of toys, besides at Christmas, but she spoiled us by giving us her love and her time and attention. No matter what she was doing she would make time for us whenever we went over to her house. I know she loved us very much. I look forward to seeing my Grandma again someday. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
