Rhea Darlene Laird Balding

Rhea “Darlene” Laird Balding

Rhea Darlene Balding was born in Salt Lake City Utah on April 4, 1931and died at her home surrounded by love on May 20, 2020 in South Jordan Utah.

Darlene was the oldest of three girls. Darlene grew up in East Millcreek with all her cousins on the same street. She always said it was the best childhood growing up surrounded by so much family. Her family moved to Alameda California in 1948.

She married George Balding on May 6, 1950. They became parents to their three children. In 1969 Darlene and George moved back to Salt Lake City Utah where they ran their own business until 2010.

Darlene was the perfect wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. Her home was always elegant and welcoming. She loved having ALL her children and grandchildren around her, she was the soft place to land in times of need.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents David and Varene (Bobbie) Laird, her husband George H. Balding, and her son-in-law Richard J. Ridge. She is survived by her sisters Donna Valenzuela and Marjorie Bardsley, her children Terri Ridge, Rick Balding, and Jeffrey Balding. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her “bonus” children - Val, Suzy, Liz, Paul, Becky, Stephen, David, and Robbie. Virginia and Glenda.

Graveside Services will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah