Lorena Jane Blackburn slipped back to our Heavenly Father on Thursday, August 11, at the age of 74, after a brave fight with cancer. Lorena was born on October 14, 1941, in SLC, UT, to Joseph Heber Blackburn and Mary Lorena Powell Blackburn.
At the age of 23, Lorena served an LDS mission to the Eastern States mission in NY and NJ, where she had the privilege of serving at the Mormon Pavilion at the World's Fair.
Lorena worked for many years and eventually retired from the phone company.
In 2015 Lorena served another LDS mission at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, where she worked mostly at the Tabernacle and Conference Center. She enjoyed meeting new people and especially getting to go "behind the scenes."
Lorena had a deep love of genealogy and enthusiastically learned as much as she could about her ancestors. We know she is having an amazing time in heaven getting to know these people she learned so much about.
Lorena was commonly referred to as "Grandma Rena," and her happiest moments were spent with her grandkids. She went on many adventures with them, and nothing made her happier than when her grandkids were happy. Her face lit up every time they came running, yelling "Grandma Rena!"
The most essential part to Lorena's life was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She had a firm testimony and immense love for the Savior and the Church, and she endured valiantly to the end.
Lorena is survived by her siblings: JoElla Welch (Frank), Karl Blackburn (Lorene), Vera Kramer (Kim) and Joe Blackburn (Pat). Her nieces (daughters): Jessica Sullivan (Kevin), Melissa Hechtle (Nick) and Maren Jensen (Eric). Her grandkids: Brichette, Joey, Xander, Zack, Carol, Ryan, Zain, Cassidy, Nathan, Lydia, Alice, Tayson, Annabelle and Azalee. She was preceded in death by her parents Mary and Joseph Blackburn, her sister Edith Campbell and her aunt Pearl Blackburn.
Our sincere thanks to Dennis and Tiffany from hospice, who showed great kindness as they lovingly took care of Lorena. They treated her with dignity and even took great care of the rest of us at this very difficult time.
Deep gratitude also goes to Marguerite and the O'Connor family, who are more like family to us than just friends or neighbors.
As quoted from one of her favorite movies, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: "I followed you on many great adventures, but into the great unknown mystery, I go first . . ."
Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at the Copperhill 5th Ward, 4333 S. 6400 W.,at 12:00 Noon. Viewings will be held Monday from 6-8 PM at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, and Tuesday 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM at the ward. Interment will follow at Mtn View Memorial Estates.
