Shirley Dearden

Shirley Barnett Dearden, 94, passed away peacefully in Henefer May 5, 2020 of causes incident to age.

She was born June 17, 1925 to Lewis Thompson and Laura Kent Barnett and grew up in Ogden Utah.  She attended Mound Fort Elementary School and graduated May 27, 1943 from Ogden High.  She remembered that, because of World War II, there were very few boys left in her graduating class that hadn't gone off to war.  Education was important in her life.  She graduated with an associate of science from Weber State College in 1946 and a bachelor of science from BYU in 1948.

She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Western Central States Mission from September 1951 to June 1953 serving in Montana and South Dakota.  Her experience on her mission gave her an ability to teach.  She served many years as a Relief Society Instructor and as a Primary teacher in the Henefer Ward.  She also enjoyed serving in the Ward Library.  She enjoyed teaching lessons for the Henefer Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

She taught in the public school system as a high school teacher in Rigby, Idaho, as a 5th grade elementary school teacher in Salt Lake City, and as a 2nd grade teacher in Morgan Utah.

She met her husband, Ross Dearden, on a blind date at a movie in the Morgan Theater.  They were married October 11, 1957.  She was a loving mother to their children Grant, Laurel and Eugene and to her grandchildren and took an active role in helping them in their lives.

She will be remembered for her strength of character, her wonderful homemade bread, her garden, her love of books, her devotion to her ancestors, and her service to those in need.

She is survived by her children Grant (Sharon), Laurel (David) Hill, and Eugene (Ann), 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings.

A viewing will be held Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the Henefer church.  A family funeral service will be held at 11 am and those wishing to participate in the funeral via the internet please contact the family for instructions.  Her interment will be at the Henefer cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walker-mortuary.com.