Mildred Defa

Mildred L. Humphries Defa, 90, of Hunter, Utah passed away on June 4, 2012. Born July 27, 1921 in Magna, Utah to William and Mary Elizabeth Humphries. Married James Defa on October 8, 1945 in Evanston, WY. Jim died on December 17, 1990. Survivors include her sons, James W. (Rose) and Dennis R. (Tana) Defa. Four grandchildren, Brandi, Tyler, Sarah, and Carson. Six great grandchildren, TJ, Dakota, Bailey, Cierra, Savannah, Darien, Sophie and two great great grandchildren, Kairi and Zander.

Mom was born in Magna but grew up in Garfield in the shadow of the Oquirrh Mountains and in the path of the tailings dust storms and smoke from the copper smelter. The daughter of Welsh immigrants, Mom was one of 12 brothers and sisters and was the last surviving member of her family. In her youth, Mom was an outstanding athlete, an excellent swimmer and she loved to reminisce about learning to swim in old sandy bottom and the hours spent at the Garfield swimming pool. She had many fond memories of Garfield; able to see beyond the dust, heat and isolation. Garfield was home through the depression and World War II. She felt a sense of community with the town and the people that lived there and enjoyed the Garfield reunions and seeing old friends. During the war she worked at the copper concentrators and then at the ordinance depot in Tooele.

Mom and Dad were a team that went through life together. They loved and respected each other and provided a great example for us. Life was never easy but both ensured that as kids growing up we had what we needed and knew we were always loved. Mom and Dad were both members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and even though health issues kept Mom from being actively involved in the past few years, she remained a member to her last day. They were great parents.

Over the last two years Mom survived a broken hip and then breast cancer with courage and a fierce determination to remain independent. Always in charge of her affairs, when the health issues of the last two weeks proved too difficult, she decided enough was enough and left us.

Mom was an amazing person. Independent, opinionated, loving and supportive; she was a practitioner of unconditional love. Her family was the center of her life, she shared in our triumphs and mourned our tragedies, she was always there for us, and any of our friends that came along. She helped instill the importance of education and provided emotional support to us in our many and varied endeavors. Did not matter to her what type of education she just knew an education was important to have. She rejoiced in our graduations as much as we did.

She was Grandma Mildred to her own grand and great grand children, their friends and any of the kids that came into her circle. She had a kind and supportive way with kids; she enjoyed being a grandmother and looked forward to taking the kids to Magna for movies and lunch at the Arctic Circle.

A special thank you to Carla and Danny in WA State for the love, support and assistance to Mom while she was in Ellensburg and after her return to Salt Lake. A very special thanks to Teresa for the loving care, attention and friendship she showed to Mom over the past two years. Without her friendship Mom would not have experienced the dignity and independence she enjoyed.

Friends and family are invited to gather for a celebration and remembrance of this great life on Monday, June 11 immediately after the grave side service. We will gather at the home of her son Jim on 905 Military Dr. (900 South. 1730 East.) SLC.

Instead of flowers make a donation to your favorite charity.

Grave side service will be held on Monday, June 11, at Noon at the Valley View Memorial Park 4100 South 4400 West where a viewing will be held on Sunday, June 10 from 5-7 PM.