Linnie Gold Obituary (1915 - 2013)

Linnie Watson Parker Gold, 98, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away July 2, 2013 at the home of her son, Stephen, in Cedar City, Utah. Her sweet, Christ-like spirit influenced everyone who ever met her. Her example of service, compassion, and love was an inspiration to her family and others. Linnie was born June 23, 1915 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her parents were James Slack Parker and Malinda Watson Parker. She was the oldest of five children. At a young age, Linnie demonstrated remarkable intelligence. She learned to read before entering school and was particularly gifted in writing poetry and prose. Upon graduating from West High School, she was honored as valedictorian. Although awarded a scholarship to the University of Utah, she declined it in order to work and assist her family financially. Throughout the years, she won many contests due to the clever verses and jingles she wrote. Additionally, Linnie wrote several winning road shows and composed various poems for special people and occasions. Later in life, she pursued family history and art with the same excellence and dedication as her other endeavors. Linnie began dating her sweetheart and eternal companion, Milton O. Gold, while in high school. They became engaged before he left on his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During that time, Linnie was employed at Keeleys Caf, which helped support her family and Milton in the Southern States Mission. Linnie and Milton married on October 1, 1936 in the Salt Lake Temple. They became the parents of five children: Cherry Gold Wolf (Edward), Milton Dale Gold (Evon), Stephen J. Gold (Julie), Sidney C. Gold (Dona), and Bryant R. Gold (Beth). They built their first home together on Ninth West in Salt Lake City and lived there for about twelve years. They attended the Cannon Ward and served in various callings. Then, after much searching, they found the perfect spot to build their second home. It was a plot of 35 acres in a mountain setting in Granite, Utah. The family moved to Granite on July 24, 1948. Although the house was tiny, the location was perfect for them. In due time, Milton, Linnie and their children built a beautiful, spacious home, planted numerous fruit trees and developed lovely outdoor spaces. Linnie has stated that the aim of our lives has been to have our children all go on missions, graduate from college, get married in the temple, and live good righteous lives. These aims have all been fulfilled. Linnie accepted many Church callings and responsibilities during her married life. These included stake and ward assignments in Relief Society, Primary, Young Women, and Gleaners. She set a high standard for service and compassion. In addition to family and Church responsibilities, she was employed as a secretary for Capitol Records, the Veterans Administration and as a personal secretary to the superintendent of Salt Lake City Public Schools. Linnie loved the many beauties of nature and gleaned inspiration from lush green forests, desert vistas, and mountain views. She and Milton built a cabin near Woodland along the upper Provo River using surplus materials and lots of ingenuity. It was affectionately referred to as The Double G, and became a gathering place for many happy family get-togethers. Grandchildren, especially, have a myriad of fond memories of the cabin. In 1978, Linnie and Milton fulfilled a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Toronto, Canada. In 1981 they served a second mission to Coventry, England. Upon returning from England, they decided to sell their Granite home and build another in Kanab, Utah. Within a few years, a beautiful home arose from the pink sandstone, large enough to accommodate great family gatherings and reunions. They called this home The Sun Trap. Early in February 1990, tragedy struck when Milton had a massive stroke, which left him blind and partially paralyzed. Linnie spent the next 14 years, until his death in 2003, caring for him. Her strength and devotion during this time are unequaled. Surviving Linnie are her five children, 29 grandchildren, 90 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; a sister, Norma McKean, and a brother, Delbert Parker. Preceding her in death were her husband, Milton, one brother, Ray Parker; and one sister, Vilda Parker Chivers. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, July 12, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Sandy Hills Ward, 1500 East 8600 South in Sandy, Utah. A viewing will precede the service beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment will be at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com.. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the General Missionary Fund.