Shirley May Rich Vanleeuwen

Shirley May Rich VanLeeuwen, our sweet mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend, returned to her Heavenly Father in the early morning of Saturday, February 1st, 2014. She was surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born to William Vere and Ada Lillian "Mimi" Davies Rich on May 19, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She spent most of her life in Salt Lake. As a teenager, she moved for two years with her parents and three brothers to Compton, California where she graduated at age 16 from Compton College. At age 18, she met George VanLeeuwen. They were married in the Logan Temple on August 8, 1946. They raised their five children in the Millcreek and East Mill Creek areas, and enjoyed the long-time association of friends who moved together from one neighborhood to the other. Shirley worked for over 50 years in the business her father started and that she and George later owned and ran together, Trade Engraving (Trade Print Finishing). Shirley was a gifted artist, teaching ceramics in her home, sewing, and oil painting. She was an excellent cook, and taught her grandchildren how to make her famous orange rolls. She had a beautiful voice, and enjoyed singing. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and always had a new joke to tell. But most of all, she was a devoted and loving daughter of her Heavenly Father, and faithfully fulfilled her most important callings: wife, mother, and friend. She had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and loved serving as Relief Society president, in the Primary (in her later years as Nursery and Achievement Day leaders), and as a devoted visiting teacher for many, many years. She had unfailing love and faith in her children and grandchildren, and was happiest when surrounded by them. Everyone who knew Shirley was touched by her welcoming, loving heart. She will be greatly missed. Shirley passes on her sense of humor and abundant love to her surviving children and grandchildren: Randy & Lynn VanLeeuwen (Amey, Scott & Lyon Paris), Craig & Elizabeth VanLeeuwen (William, Angie & Reagan; Jakob; Libbie), Brad & Consuelo VanLeeuwen (Cristi, Brooks, Nixon & Beckett Dame; Bianca & Joseph Merkley; Mandy & Spencer Morrison; Lorena; Valentina), Lisa VanLeeuwen (Travis & Destini), and one brother, Robert Rich. She is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Blake and her two brothers. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 am at the East Mill Creek 9th Ward, 3750 South Hillside Lane (2600 East). A viewing will be held on Thursday evening, February 6, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East and at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Messages and tributes may be sent to the family at www.holbrookmortuary.com.