Cecelia Ann Corbett Rich

Our devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Cecelia Ann Corbett Rich, passed away peacefully with a smile on her face while surrounded by loving family on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024 at the age of 87.

Cecelia was born August 28, 1936 in Mesa, Arizona to Pearson Harris Corbett and Gladys Brimhall. Cecelia cherished her heritage as a descendant of Hyrum Smith, brother of Joseph Smith and of George Henry Brimhall, who served as president of Brigham Young University from 1903 to 1922. Cecelia honored that heritage by living as a faithful and steadfast member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and being a friend and servant to all.

When she was two years old Cecelia moved to St. George, Utah with her family. There she met lifelong friends Colleen Pectol and Vina Ruth Miles along with many others. Cecelia’s warm disposition enabled her to make friends with ease and she felt a sincere and genuine affection for each one. While growing up in St. George, Cecelia loved hiking on the Black Hill, roller skating, playing softball, tennis, and basketball. Cecelia was a natural athlete and enjoyed every sport she ever played. When Cecelia was eight years old she was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the St. George Temple. At age 28, she served a full-time mission for The Church in Hawaii. She loved sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Hawaii and treasured the culture and love they shared with her.

Cecelia attended Dixie High School where she had “quite the crowd” of friends. She attended Brigham Young University and later worked as a secretary in the office of Neal A. Maxwell, at the University of Utah, a job for which she held fond memories. She enjoyed talking to people and valued deep relationships. Cecelia embodied kindness and joy throughout her life and always looked for the positive in life’s scenarios. In both word and deed, she encouraged others to do their best, work hard, enjoy life and follow our Savior Jesus Christ.

Cecelia married her sweetheart, Paul Hyrum Rich, on November 12, 1968 in the Salt Lake Temple and immediately became a mother to Paul’s one-year-old daughter, Julie Ann. They had four children together: Scott Corbett, Douglas Paul, Lisa Ann and Christy Ann. Cecelia was an attentive, affectionate mother and extended that same devotion to her 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Oh, how Cecelia loved spending time with her children and grandchildren! She spent countless hours as an active part of their lives — playing, hiking, teaching them how to pitch, hit, catch, ride bikes, shoot baskets, swim and so much more. Everyone looked forward to her freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, which were always in the cookie jar. Cecelia was passionate about tennis and played it for almost 70 years, until she was 82 years old.

Cecelia loved her Savior and eagerly served in any capacity to which she was called in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Relief Society President, counselor in the Primary Presidency and Primary teacher (with two grandsons in her class) being some of her most memorable. She adored teaching children and committed substantial time to prepare each lesson. She also prioritized other acts of service, such as taking the elderly to lunch, helping with medical treatment transportation and volunteering in the grandparent reading program at Canyon View Elementary.

For over 50 years, Cecelia enjoyed attending University of Utah football and basketball games with her husband, in-laws, children and friends. She was also fond of traveling, especially the annual trips she and Paul would take with Rich and Marilyn Broadbent. Family vacations to Lake Powell, St. George, Star Valley, Wyoming and numerous road trips forged dear and special memories. Cecelia was well read and kept up on the current events of the world. She kept a daily journal and loved to study the Book of Mormon.

Cecelia was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother, Pearson Starr, and her older sister, Connie Joy. She is survived by her husband Paul Hyrum Rich, her children Julie Rich Hansen (Steve), Scott Corbett Rich (Tami), Douglas Paul Rich (Sherry), Lisa Ann Rich, and Christy Ann Perschon (Brent), her 15 grandchildren, and eight greatgrandchildren. We would like to thank Diane Dearden, Jennifer Glade and all of the caregivers that helped with Cecelia from Renew Home Health Hospice and Cedarwood at Sandy memory care. She was cared for with compassion, dignity and love and we will be forever grateful.

Funeral services will be held at Top of the World Chapel, 8100 South Top of The World Drive, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121 on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 11:00am. A viewing will be held at Top of The World Chapel on Friday, March 29, 2024 from 6:00-7:30pm and on Saturday, prior to the funeral service, 9:00 10:30am. Live streaming of the funeral service will begin at 10:30am (MDT) To view virtually, click on the link below. https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcxMTM1NjExODEzMjM0NDImb25lcm9vbS1lbWFpbCZpbnZpdGF0aW9uX2NvcHlfbGluaw==