Megan was born on January 18, 1976 in Salt Lake City, Utah to O. Stanley and Madeline Wirthlin Cole. She passed away on March 8, 2016, seven weeks after celebrating her 40th Birthday. Megan was born with spina bifida, which resulted in many surgeries, hospitalizations, and health challenges throughout her life. She faced these challenges with strength, courage, and perseverance. Her big blue eyes and huge smile often masked her pain. None of us could fully comprehend the extent of her struggles. She is finally at rest and free of her many limitations.
During her life Megan lived in Washington, Michigan, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1994 and attended SL Community College. For a time, she worked at Welfare Square and for LDS Social Services and volunteered at the Sandy Amphitheater, which were highlights in her life. She very much enjoyed going to concerts, plays, and for drives in the mountains. She often bought tickets to special events and blessed others with the gift of an outing with her. She found much pleasure in sharing and in giving.
We loved Megan's infectious laugh, witty sense of humor, and generous nature. She had a capacity to love that was beyond ordinary. She was a great listener and cared so much for others. Megan had an amazing ability to make friends wherever she went. She was blessed with many caring friends who will miss her. She loved to spoil her 35 nieces and nephews with movie nights, dinners out, and even Jazz games. They adore her and love her so much.
Megan was married twice, but her greatest joy was becoming a mother in 2002. Chance was the light of her life. He could often be seen riding on the back of his mom's wheelchair, and it was a delight to see them together. Megan's greatest heartache was losing Chance in 2005. His death left such a gaping hole in her big heart. We are so grateful she is reunited with her sweet boy again. In memory of Chance, Megan put her whole heart into planning and decorating Christmas trees for the Festival of Trees. She donated seven different trees over the years, raising thousands of dollars for Primary Children's Hospital and allowing many friends and family members to help bring her visions to life. She had a wonderful ability to bring people together.
Megan is survived by a large and loving family, including her parents, Madeline W. and Michael Stover and Stan Cole and Ruff Yeager. Her devoted siblings are Lauren (Chad) Loutzenhiser, Lisa (Ryan) Harper, Heather Cole, Erin (Slade) Battermann, Matthew (Ashley) Cole, Lindsey (Chad) Crafts, David (Katty) Cole, Cheristy (Justin) Monson, Stephanie (Dave) Sitze, Clint Stover, Jake (Tori) Stover, and Geoffrey (Emily) Yeager. Megan is also survived by her grandparents Elwin and Joan Cole and Dorothy Stover Lacey. She has many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family who supported her throughout her life.
She was preceded in death by her beloved son Chance, her grandparents Elder Joseph B. and Elisa Wirthlin and Herman "Smokey" Stover.
We are so grateful Megan can now run, hike, dance, and climb trees with her sweet Chance as she always wished to.
There will be a viewing on Friday, March 11, 2016, at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary (2350 E. 1300 S.), from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the LDS Chapel at 6350 S. Rodeo Lane (1540 E.), Salt Lake City, at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing prior to the services from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Following the service there will be a Celebration of Life at the church, to which all are invited to share their memories of Megan. Online condolences: www.larkincares.com
