SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Anita Marie Deakin Isbell peacefully left her earthly existence on the evening of Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at the age of 96 in her Rose Park home of 69 years of natural causes due to age.
She was the fourth and youngest child born to Minnie Maud Greaves and Charles Fremont Deakin on July 26, 1927 in the home her grandfather built in Ephraim, Utah during the late 1800s. Anita was raised in Ephraim and had fond memories of growing up in a small town with lots of adventure, family, and friends.
Anita attended Snow College for 2 years studying home economics.
After World War II, she married Mac Weldon Isbell in August 1947 (later divorced).
Anita had three children Tanya Anderson, Lynda Baldwin and Tad Isbell.
Anita was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints her entire life, holding many different callings in her ward. For many years, she coordinated events for the Senior Singles in her ward. She was actively involved in the PTA and the Rose Park Community Council for many years. She was employed at Western Dental Supply and the Salt Palace in various accounting areas.
She loved keeping in touch with friends. She especially loved the years that she helped coordinate the annual Ephraim Women’s Luncheon in Salt Lake City. She was able to share this delightful luncheon with her daughters and granddaughters over many years. She loved to travel to Ephraim for Scandinavian Days. She loved to go to plays and musicals with her family.
She loved to travel. She enjoyed trips with her son Tad to Nauvoo searching for antiques. She loved Wendover and the penny machines. She traveled to Florida often to see her brother Motley and then to Europe with him several times.
She loved to play card games with her sister Eunice and brother-in-law Maylin on Friday nights.
She was a wonderful homemaker and gardener. She loved to sew, bake, bottle fruit/jams, crochet/knit and plant flowers. In her 90s she made washcloth/scrubber sets as a hobby for what she called her small business at 94 years old. Hundreds of dish sets were sold over the last few years. Even this Christmas, her charming dishcloths and scrubbers were on full display at the latest boutique for the holidays. She planted a beautiful yard full of many different flowers each summer.
Anita is survived by her daughters: Tanya Anderson, Lynda (Dick) Baldwin, 4 grandchildren: Monica Anderson, JonChristopher Anderson, Dani Baldwin, Brian Baldwin, 5 great-grandchildren: Farrah/Cozette/Eden/Van Baldwin, Ivy Celeste Anderson, nieces/nephews: Charles Bardsley, Mary (Brent) Pitcher, (Philip) Moyes, Tom (Cynthia) Deakin, numerous great-nieces/nephews and numerous great-great nieces/nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eunice (Maylin) Bardsley, brother Motley (Lydia) Deakin, sister Cathleen Deakin, son Tad Isbell, three grandchildren Michael Richard, Rainne Lee, an angel grandchild born sleeping, and niece Carol Moyes.
A viewing will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the Rose Park 10th Ward, 760 North 1200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah, prior to the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Grave dedication will be January 6, 2024 at 12:00 noon at the Ephraim City Cemetery, 650 North Main.
Dear Lynda and family,
I was sorry to hear about Anita's passing. I can imagine the happy reunion of our sweet mothers on the other side where they can laugh and run together once again. What a treasured relationship they had.
We have appreciate our association with your family and wish all of God's
blessings upon you at this time.
Love and prayers,
Clark, Jennett, and Tyler Labrum
I love you Anita.
My sympathy at the passing of Anita. I was tge recipient of one of her dish clothes that I watched her make. Such a warm and friendly person. May God's love be with her family at this time.