Events
Viewing
Larkin Mortuary 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111Tuesday Mar 11, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Viewing
Garden Park Ward 1150 Yale Ave Salt Lake City, UT 84105Wednesday Mar 12, 2025 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Graveside Service
Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 S Highland Drive, Millcreek , UT 84106Wednesday Mar 12, 2025 2:00 PM
Oletta Joy Wald Cummings was born on May 19, 1930, to Ferdinand Oliver Wald and Velma Howe Wald. She died on March 3, 2025, while at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Clearfield, Utah, after finally deciding she had had enough of the food there.
Oletta was one of the original members of Garden Park Ward when it was created in 1936, and lived in the ward most of her life. She graduated from East High School in 1947 and the University of Utah in 1952. From the influence of her mother and children, Oletta later became a stalwart BYU fan.
She married Clyde Kay Cummings on July 1, 1954, and they later divorced in 1995. She raised seven children who became champion foodies. Everyone worked in the family business, C. Kay Cummings Candies, with Oletta handling much of the management and scut work necessary to keep the doors open and production running.
Oletta had great love, appreciation, and talent for art. She created beautiful paintings and exquisite needlepoint handiwork and made beautiful music by playing her violin in many orchestras and string groups. She instilled the love of art, music, flowers, and Shakespeare in her children.
Oletta had a lifelong love of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, particularly in the temple and as a docent at the Church History Museum, and we know that she is having a joyous reunion on the other side of the veil with her parents, brothers (Fred and Gordon), sister (Lorna), son (Ian Wald Cummings) and great grand daughter Eleanor Marie Cummings.
She is survived by her brother Leonard (Donna); six of her children: Gordon (Julie), Lori Judd (Rob), Aaron (Cristine), Doug (Kathy), Nathan (Donna); and Christopher; 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, and 1 step great grandchild.
Now she can play her violin and garden without pain, she won’t have to cook for all those boys, and nobody is going to make her learn to like garlic.
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Guestbook/Condolences
Aaron and brothers and sisters, My condolences on the passing of your mother. May peace be with you.
I am so sad. Oletta was an amazing person. Growing up with the Cummings family, I always loved her. My condolences to the Cummings family who have lost one of the really good ones! Love Matt!
So sorry for your loss. At the same time I feel grateful that sweet Oletta is now rejoicing with her family in heaven. Prayers go out to the Cummings family during this time
When my family, my father, mother, brother and I moved to Salt Lake City in 1969 Lori was among the first of my friends. We met at school and lived close to each other. Among musicians camaraderie develops quickly. My mother and Oletta were also close friends There was no talk of religion in our community music, orchestra and choir programs. Non-Mormpns always appreciate a warm welcome from families in Mormon society. When my brother was repeatedly hospitalized with traumatic mental illness Oletta continued to invite him to play his cello at her string quartet programs. After more than 50 years, Lori and I continue to connect through correspondence. Oletta brought such deep faith, friendship and love into our lives. Her spirit sings now with the angels. Do you hear what I hear? I pray for peace in the hearts of all Cummings family, neighbors and friends as we miss our dearly loved. Oletta.
Dear Cummings Family,
What a delight it was for me to know Oletta for nearly all of my life! I have fond memories of her leading the singing in Primary, including Heigh Ho October, and Halloween, which brings me to the primary Halloween party, if which she was a fixture for me.
I loved her patriotism, her artistry, playing the violin with her, and enjoying her beautiful silver hair. She seemed to have a mix of practicality and idealism that served her well, as well as a deep faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I'm so grateful for her and for my friendship with you.
Wishing we were in town to celebrate her with you.
Fondly,
Lark