Leona Anderson Terry

Leona Anderson Terry, wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 4, 2025, at the age of 93 due to an accident at home.

Leona was born April 13, 1932, in Ephraim, Utah. Her parents were Valborg and Ellery Anderson and she was the 10th of eleven children. Growing up on a small farm, she led a life filled with purpose, determination, and joy. From an early age, she learned essential skills like sewing, cooking, making soap, keeping house, helping with farm work, tending the cows and to make use of every single minute of the day. Growing up without a car, TV, or telephone, she usually walked everywhere, cherishing the simple joys of life. However, on occasion, her dad would let her take the horse and buggy for a ride with her friends.

Born during the Depression, Leona developed a strong work ethic early in life. She started cleaning houses and ironing for her neighbors to earn money. Her work ethic followed her the rest of her life.

Her schooling from first through tenth grade took place in a 3-story schoolhouse. Her last two years of high school were held at Snow College where she met a boy everyone called “Terry” (Eugene Terry) who was going to college there. Leona wrote in her journal “I think I fell in love with him the first time we met”. After graduating high school in 1950, she moved to Salt Lake to live with a family where she kept house, cooked meals, and cared for 2 little girls, bringing her nurturing spirit to all that she did.

Leona always had a secret desire to become a nurse. While living in Salt Lake, she stopped at Holy Cross Hospital to inquire about their nursing program. After passing the entrance exam, she enrolled in nursing school that fall, promising to pay back her tuition after graduation. After a year she was awarded a full scholarship for her outstanding work.

Leona and Gene began seriously dating after he returned from his mission. He would visit Salt Lake about once a week from BYU. Their love blossomed and they married on December 27, 1952, in the Manti Utah Temple and remained inseparable ever since.

Leona graduated from nursing school in 1956 and had many wonderful experiences serving people throughout her career. Some highlights included serving as a nurse to President David O. McKay and President Spencer W. Kimball.

Throughout her life, Leona held many church callings, serving faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with enthusiasm in each position. She and Gene also served a mission in Leeds, England and spent 17 fulfilling years serving at the Salt Lake Temple. Her deep love for the gospel inspired her to study the scriptures daily and keep a journal of her experiences.

Blessed with three children, Michael, Lori and Brent, Leona found immense joy in family moments and loved her children wholeheartedly. She was also extremely proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, rarely missing any events they participated in and was very involved in their lives, always prioritizing her family.

In 1968, Leona and Gene built a cabin that became a cherished gathering place, exemplifying her love for family and friends. She loved hosting family gatherings and creating lasting memories, spending many happy days there.

Friendships were a significant part of Leona’s life and she made lifelong friends everywhere she went. She maintained contact with childhood friends, nursing school friends, and others she met everywhere she went. She was part of a neighborhood club that originated when they bought their first house in 1956 and they have been friends ever since.

After living in their house for 66 years, Leona and Gene decided to embrace a new adventure and moved to a new home in Kaysville to be closer to family. There, she made many new friends whom she cherished.

Leona had a green thumb and loved flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed working with Gene in her garden and admired the gardens of others. Always resourceful from her days growing up during the Depression, she often asked neighbors if she could pick their produce that was going to waste. She especially loved to pickle beets and make strawberry rhubarb jam.

With her warm smile and kind words, Leona touched everyone she met. She offered words of encouragement to others and had little sayings taped throughout her house to inspire her each day. She always found time to be of service to Gene, friends and family, filling her life and the lives of others with love, kindness, and joy.

Leona is survived by her lifelong companion Eugene Terry, her 3 children Mike, Lori (Rick) and Brent, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also, her youngest sister Carol Fellows along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Thursday June 12, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:30 to 12:30.

Interment will be immediately following the service.