ABOUT GRANDMA MYRT by Susie:
I remember she was about my build. She dressed very well and made many of her own dresses and shirts, and always looked cute. She sold Tupperware in my youth and got high enough to have them give her a new station wagon to drive. She got a diamond ring from Tupperware that I own (Gladene has her wedding ring). Mom did diets. That's why I don't want to. She was an amazing cook. She worked at an elementary school in Orem cooking lunch from when Todd was in high school to retiring. She would make trays and trays of cakes, cookies, and goodies for Flaming Gorge and they would be all over the trailer's beds. She was SOOO amazing to pack us up for several vacations a year. We saw all the southern Utah things, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Disneyland twice (when I was 11 and 17), and, of course, Flaming Gorge every year. She had a feisty nature to go along with Grandpa's quiet one. She was a cheerleader in high school. Grandpa played the drums in the band. She said he was a scrawny thing in high school, but came back from the army tall and very handsome. She was very valiant in her church callings. She was in the Primary presidency when I was in high school. I was called to be a teacher in Primary (it was on a weekday after school then). She'd pick me up from high school and bring me to Primary. When I was little she was the singing time lady. She did elaborate pictures and objects to teach us songs ("There's a Beautiful Stairway", "Cartload of Pumpkins," "Funny Bunny"). She sang alto in choirs, then stopped singing when she was older because it made her cough. She always had her hair "bent" (Grandpa would say) by Robert. She didn't ever want to miss her weekly appointment with Robert. It always looked nice. She had it high and in curls in the 60's and 70's. Silver before she died. She was a VERY hard worker and had us clean well (even if she did take away my book and I got SO mad). She tolerated Grandpa letting the dog in the house for a minute. She screamed when the older brothers would bring June bugs in to scare her. She did very well in an old, squished house with lots of kids. She always sewed us clothes, costumes, and pajamas for Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. She made us learn the piano (to which I'm SO grateful). She loved to relax with her family. She was the money handler of the family. She brought out the cut open cereal boxes with the budget written on at her last Flaming Gorge trip to teach Dad how to handle the money. She used envelopes for different monetary categories. She is an amazing daughter of God, and has been our angel so many times (you'll find out later). She's very interested in us all. Love, Mom
I remember her packing peanut butter and jam (raspberry-peach) sandwiches in Tupperware (to protect the sandwich from getting mashed/soggy) for the deer hunts. We’d also get a bag of candy and she would supply enough of these for everyone that was going.One Summer while I was staying in Pleasant Grove for a week, I was petitioning to earn some money to go to Seven Peaks Resort. She came up with some yard chores and was watching very closely as I mowed the lawn, edged and pulled weeds. That attention to detail has stuck with me. Another example was when she was visiting our family and she and I were washing dishes by hand after dinner…she kept sending the dishes back my way because they weren’t washed well enough. Her immaculate gardens were a sight for all! We had fun working together.Thanksgiving pies and Christmas treats were always in abundance and top notch, home made wonders!! I remember Grandpa and Grandma’s new home being set up in the garage for the whole family to come over for Thanksgiving.I can still hear her laugh...I hear bits of her laughing every now and again in each of her kids laughs.She was full of life, enjoyed life, and attracted all to her with that ‘Zest’ for life (pun intended). My parents still buy only Zest, my understanding is that is what was engrained in my dad by Grandma…perhaps I’m misinformed.Coming into Little Hole on the Green River was always memorable as she would frequently be waiting at the last lookout and shout out “YooHoo!!” before jumping in the truck to pick us up.She was one of the only people in the world that my dad would listen to at times. She had a way of changing his mind when he was fixed in his ways, even after our futile attempts to change his mind.She was the glue of our family, and after her graduation from this life, I feel she would be proud of how we have collectively picked up the pieces and glued things back together. I remember being very concerned afterwards that the void would never be filled…while it has not been filled and I still miss her dearly, I feel of her love from all of her family and in times of quiet reflection. My babes are with her and I trust that she is caring for them until we meet again.All of these emails, pictures, thoughts and memories have stirred up a lot of my emotions tonight…and have provided further healing after 19 years that I didn’t realize I still needed. I love and miss her, and miss all of you.I look forward to seeing you all soon. Thanks for initiating this Suz,Dan Hilton
Amen Dan !
Dan you have hit on most all of my best memories. Dear hunt, attention to detail, thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, flaming gorge taking baths in the tub of water, going to the mustang ridge Amphitheater, looking up to the Little hole lookout for grandma after hearing grandpa tell us of legend of Lovers leap! I only have great memories of my Grandma Myrt and appreciate All of her contributions to our Family.
We are truly blessed !
Thanks again ❤️
I was pretty young (almost 12)when she passed, but I remember her contagious giggles that would add snorts here and there, especially with her “dam” jokes at the gorge. 😂 I also remember her having to head to the “John” a head of time so she could make it in time—especially with the giggling. Saving seats for everyone was a big deal to her, hence the quote on her headstone. And babies, she loved all the babies! My mom tries to emulate her in this and does so well, it’s fun to see that love passed on.
I remember them visiting on Christmas, and coming to make lemon sherbet at our house as well. I also remember when I was nearing her height, and being pretty excited about it. She made my baby blessing dress(that Mya wore) and I’m sure many others. I LOVED her banana cake (without walnuts), and looked forward to it when camping! So many great memories!!
Thoughts from Bethany Hilton Laloli
Each year as we visit Flaming Gorge and throughout the years, our hearts are touched by so many wonderful memories of Grandma Myrt. I met her and Grandpa Hilton on my first date with Dave. I think I instantly fell in love with them. They were so welcoming, kind and so fun to be around. I think they make everyone that they meet feel this way. Myrt has done so many things for each of our families. She was a goer and a doer. Always going the extra mile to make oodles of delicious foods for every occasion. Always, sewing, cooking, gardening, giggling, loving on our babies. She was a huge support, and I knew that she and Freck always cared and were concerned for us.
I loved how she and grandpa would go out early to Flaming Gorge, and prepare for everyone to come, and then they would stay for a couple more weeks to relax, take motorcycle rides, and truly enjoy being together. They were such a team.
My favorite Christmas gift was always the box of homemade chocolates that she would give to each of us. They were treasured and hidden to last for a long time. Our wedding reception was a winter wonderland, as Myrt and Freck gathered as many fresh Christmas trees from friends and neighbors and filled the cultural hall at the church with trees and lights. Homemade chocolates were served at the reception as well. It was a beautiful occasion. I have always been amazed at her energy, and ability to do so many things so well.
As a daughter-in-law, I have such a deep love and respect for Myrt. I miss her dearly and have often wished that I could ask her questions or have her teach me things that I didn't realize at the time that I wanted to learn from her. Her time with us was cut way too short. I hope someday we will come to understand why she was taken from us, and look so forward to the time that we can be together again.
Marilyn Hilton
Thanks for the memories, I love reading through all of them!! I hope even more get on here and put their favorite memories so we can all teach our kiddos how awesome their great-grandma was.
I liked her Christmas treats (the one with the peanuts and chocolate were my favorite). I loved eating the cereal at her house when we would visit. And I loved watching the Shirley Temple movies in the basement with cousins. She made that zucchini cracker food, which I didn't like at first but grew to love.
I remember going to visit the school lunchroom where she worked. It was empty and clean and she showed us around.
I remember her running to the bathroom right when she got to our house after a long drive.
She gave the best, squeezing hugs. She looked right at you when she was talking to you - sometimes with her finger pointed right at you, waggling to make a point.
Her smile wrinkled up her whole face with happiness. Her laugh was my favorite, so loud and happy. So spunky and fiesta, I'm sure she's having a ball up in heaven.
Love you all!
Kristen Hopkins
