Tammy Edna Dalton
January 04, 1959 - July 19, 2017
Tammy Edna Dalton, 58, a beloved daughter, sister, mom, aunt, grandma and friend unexpectedly returned to her Heavenly Father on July 19th, 2017 in Joplin, Missouri.
She was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on January 4th, 1959 to Patrick James Flynn and Edna Elaine Gray Flynn. While attending the University of Utah she met her best friend, soulmate, and sweetheart Mark Winsor Dalton. They were married on July 27th, 1979 and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Mark and Tammy were never found anywhere without each other. They worked on projects together side-by-side, went shopping together, even if it was just a quick trip to the grocery store, attended events for their kids together, and could always be found laughing and having fun with each other.
She was an active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was dedicated as she served in many callings within the Primary, Young Women, Sunday School, and Relief Society. She especially enjoyed working with youth. She made a huge impression on young women as a camp director and is fondly remembered for her incredible camps. She is also fondly remembered as a compassionate and loving teacher.
Tammy had an amazing work ethic, which she instilled in her children. She was an intelligent and dedicated employee. She worked in medical coding for Jordan Valley and Alta View hospitals. Most recently, she worked for 3M Health Information Systems for 15 years. She enjoyed the work she did and loved the people she worked with even more.
Tammy lived life to the fullest. She was the best mom and grandma that any child could ever ask for. She would sacrifice anything for her children and grandchildren and always sought to make them happy. They were always her biggest priority, her pride, and her joy. She attended every event her children were involved in. There wasn't a single basketball or soccer game, dance competition, award ceremony, concert, performance, speaking engagement, or graduation that included her kids, where you wouldn't find their biggest fan. She encouraged them and inspired them to always strive to do their best. She eagerly awaited the time when she would be a Grandma. When the time came she relished every moment with them. She loved reading, doing crafts, playing games, and snuggling with them. She especially loved getting hugs from them.
She was everyone’s biggest cheerleader and advocate. She loved to celebrate everyone’s successes, birthdays, and holidays. She always brought fun and laughter to every party. She strived to make everyone feel important by talking to every person in attendance and giving them a hug. She often put others needs above her own. She cared deeply and loved completely.
Survived by her husband, Mark; three children, Zachary Winsor (Christina) Dalton of Joplin, Missouri, Jessica (Johnson) Agiriga of Riverton, UT, & Benjamin Duane (Juliann) Dalton of Page, Arizona ; 4 grandchildren; Madilyn, Lincoln, Jocelyn, & Bridget; Mother Edna; Siblings, Jim (Clara) Flynn, Sherry Renack, Larry (Julie) Flynn, Kelly Flynn, Cindy Woolf, and Shaun (Katharyn) Flynn; and many nieces & nephews. Preceded in death by her father.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday July 22nd at the Riverton 4th Ward Building, 11970 South 1900 West, Riverton, UT. Friends and family may call Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the Riverton 4th Ward Building, and Saturday one hour prior to services. Interment, Wasatch Lawn South Valley Cemetery.
My prayer is that my words will fill your minds with memories of my wonderful mom.
My mom is beautiful: both inside and outside. Hers was the first smile I ever saw and one that was capable of brightening my darkest day or making even my brightest day even more brilliant. On occasion, however, my mom suffered from depression and a negative view of her body image. At these times, I wished so deeply that she could see how beautiful she was to me. I would like to share just a few of her many, many qualities that made her so beautiful!
B - Bold
From even a simple thing like making sure she was charged the sale price at a store, my mom was not afraid to speak up. She was careful, but if someone had wronged her children, you could sometimes literally see fear in the person's face as my mom approached to correct the situation. She was not rude, but she wasn't scared to be blunt and honest. If someone needed an advocate, my mom was never afraid to speak up for what was right.
E - Entertaining
My mom was the life of parties or gatherings. She loved to play games and socialize. She was competitive, but always kept things fun. She would joke and laugh with everyone.
A - Affable
My mom could make friends with complete strangers. She had a way of connecting with people and making them feel at ease.
U - Unselfish
My mom was constantly thinking of others and putting their needs above her own. She was always willing to share her time, talents, and resources. There wasn't anything my mom wasn't willing to do for my dad, her children, or grandchildren.
T - Talented
My mom possessed so many diverse skills and abilities. She was my barber for the majority of my life. She could paint walls beautifully. She was an impressive writer with an expansive vocabulary. She made artful jewelry. She was well dressed because of her ability to select flattering clothing. She made all of our most memorable Halloween costumes. When we were young, we were able to trick or treat late into chilly evenings after other kids retreated from being cold because of my mom's foresight in warm costume design. Plus, we looked good doing it! Among our most prized keepsakes are blankets, clothes, quilts, and pillowcases that my mom sewed for us. She was creative and crafty.
I - Intelligent
Although my mom did not finish her college degree, she was brilliant. She clearly demonstrated her intellect as she played trivia games, helped her children with homework, worked within her occupations, and in her conversations with people.
F - Faithful
My mom was a convert to the church and remained active throughout her life. She was sensitive to the Spirit and acted immediately on promptings she received. She magnified her callings within the church. She was willing to share her testimony and helped bring people to Christ. She fully believed in the power of the Priesthood. The Gospel was always precious to her and she was dedicated to building an eternal family.
U - Understanding
My mom was full of compassion and empathy. She strived to understand other people's view points. She knew her children would make mistakes and would go through trials. She was always there for us!
L - Loving
My mom openly expressed love for people. She gave the best hugs! My mom was deeply devoted to my dad. It was such a blessing to grow up knowing that my parents loved each other. My mom constantly told her children in words and actions that she loved us. I grew up confident and happy, because I never had a single doubt that my mom completely and unconditionally loved me.
It is difficult to understand God's plans and journeys for us; especially when a crucial part of it is removed 20 - 30 years before expected. Through constantly tear soaked eyes, I have been guided to see some beauty that has brought me some peace and comfort. The kind of beauty that my mom taught me to be able to see.
I cannot revel where I will forever feel robbed, but I appreciate what I have understood over the past few days. Though she was taken far too soon, she completed her life's mission. Her love for others was far reaching. I have been grateful to hear so many people tell me about how my mom has loved and influenced them.
Although none of us could have ever seen this coming, including my sweet mom, the last few weeks of her life had a sort of elegance. She told me that she had to make her recent trip to Arizona and Utah. There were lots of valid reasons, including her own personal pain, to delay or postpone the trip, but she said she had to go.
I was eternally blessed to have my parents at my home for two weeks in June. During that time my mom created everlasting memories. We spent evenings together that were sweet reminders of my childhood and teenage years talking, joking, and playing games. I got to hug my mom everyday.
My daughters spent tons of quality time with their Grammy Tammy. When Bridget called out, and many more times when she didn't, my mom was there to hold her and shower her with love. They smiled and giggled together. Jocelyn went to work with Grammy Tammy every day. Even as she was working, my mom made a special focus for Jocelyn. They spent hours and hours outside of work reading each other stories, singing together, and playing.
After the two weeks with my family, she headed up Utah to spend time with Jessie. During her time in Utah she spent quality time with as many of her family and friends as possible. She dedicated time to show each person how much she loved them individually. Of course, the very first night she got back from the trip was spent with Madilyn and Lincoln. She always told me how much she loved the time she was able to spend with Zac and his family in Missouri. I take great consolation knowing that she was able to see so many people she deeply cared for.
The worst day of my life began very early in the morning on July 19th, when my brother had the difficult job of calling to tell me that my mom had passed on. Even that difficult melancholy day had a beautiful metaphor. As my sister and I began our drive to Idaho to regrettably inform my grandmother of my mom's departure from this mortal life, there was a soft, gentle rain as if the Earth around us was weeping with us. As we drove home the scenery had changed. The rain clouds were still present, but had been pushed across the heavens to reveal a peaceful, lovely sunset filled with subtle yellows and oranges. This landscape had a message for me.
Just as the clouds persisted, so did the anguish and chasm of sadness, but there was hope on the horizon. The clouds will never go away for good, but the sunset showed that, despite no longer having my mom's presence, there is still more beauty left in this mortal journey for myself and my family. Even deeper, the greatest, eternal hope comes from the Son, Jesus Christ. His infinite atonement makes it possible for my family to be together forever. My mother will always be my mom and I will be united with her.
Respectfully people have been offering kind condolences by saying, "Sorry for your loss." It is a loss of precious time together and memories that could have been created. This aspect is painful and incredibly hard. However, I now understand this time more as a wait than a loss. I have not lost my mom. As devastating as it is, I have to continue this life faithfully and diligently; awaiting the time when I will be with her again. Remaining faithful and patiently waiting is not easy, but it certainly is worth it.
"Mourning is one of the deepest
expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord
with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch
that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.” (D&C 42:45.) Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without
tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to
take love out of life."
-Elder Nelson
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