Florence Kolby Watson

Florence Rachel Kolby Watson, 79, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully Sunday, July 4, 2010, following a long illness.

Born August 7, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Lauritz A. and Katherine J. Kolby. She often expressed gratitude for the courage of her grandparents on both sides who accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Denmark, leaving parents and homeland to immigrate to Salt Lake City. The Danish association to which her family belonged selected her at age 8 to present a rose bouquet to Crown Princess Ingrid of Denmark when the prince and princess were honored at a celebration in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Raised during the Great Depression, she helped her father at his fledgling business, Time & Instrument Co., and earned the money he would have spent on postage by delivering invoices and checks to businesses located in downtown Salt Lake City.

Florence developed a great love for music as a member of the East High School and University of Utah Acapella Choirs. She became an accomplished soprano, studying under Richard P. Condie, and later singing as a soloist and with Church and community choirs at many functions over many years.

While attending the University of Utah and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, Florence met Ross Watson, then president of the Sigma Pi fraternity. They were married on April 5, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. Ross and Florence were owners and operators of Appliance Service Center.

To bring additional income to the family, she took in ironing as a young mother and learned how to make and decorate wedding cakes. She was known for her creative talents, including her table decorations, which fit any theme and were borrowed for many events. She also used her creativity to bring refinement and beauty to people lives. She was also known for her memorable catch phrases.

She was a valiant Latter-day Saint and served in many callings in the Young Women, Primary, and Relief Society, and in many other capacities. As stake Mia Maid leader in the 1960s, her creativity led the Young Women General Board of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to call upon her to help with displays and decorations at June Conference activities. Florence was called by the Church to volunteer at the Utah Food Bank and received awards for her service there, including one from the NestlAC. Corporation. She was a champion of self-reliance and home storage and taught these skills to many people.

She was the happiest when she was surrounded by her family. Family gatherings were especially important to her and she took it upon herself to organize many of them. Her last weeks were filled with multiple visits by siblings, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Florence is survived by sons, David (Nola), Rick (Leslie), Loren (Susan); daughters, Roslyn (Jim) Edwards, Cheri (Mark) Christensen, Kristen (Eduardo) Valdez; 26 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, Elaine (Tom, deceased) Daniels, Marian (Lynn) Rossiter; and brother, Larry (Jerianne) Kolby.

The family expresses special appreciation to the wonderful caregivers at Highland Care Center, St. Mark's Hospital and Intermountain Medical Center.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Canyon Rim 1st and 2nd Ward building, 3100 East 3000 South. Friends may call Tuesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S. 2300 E., and at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to the services. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Online messages and tributes can be sent to the family at: www.holbrookmortuary.com

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the General Missionary Fund, Humanitarian Aid Fund or the Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.