Elva Grace Kirkham Burbidge passed away quietly on Sept. 26, 2001 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A creative and insightful woman, she was born April 24, 1907, in Heber City, UT, to Ida Josephine Murdoch and Oscar Ammon Kirkham. She at-tended Salt Lake City schools, LDS High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah. She was married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 9, 1929, to Leslie David Burbidge. They lived in Chicago, Illinois and spent summers working in Michigan while in Dental School. Returning to Salt Lake City, they raised flowers, fruits, vegetables and reared three children who benefited from their mother's wisdom and expressions of love and gratitude. Later, Shagg and Grace had the privilege of sharing ten years of life with five nieces. A practical and efficient woman, she used her many talents, making a distinguished career in adult education, contributing beauty and purpose to the lives of her students. She loved her friends and family. Her family returned the love by giving the beautiful name of Grace to five great-granddaughters.
She is survived by daughters Suzanne B. Sorensen and husband Bruce, Boston, MA; Phyllis B. Pingree and husband J. Fred "Toby", Salt Lake City; daughter-in-law Linda Burbidge Gardner; brothers, Norman C. Kirkham, Mark M. Kirkham; O. Ned Kirkham; sisters, Katherine Andrews Bird and Jane Bassler; nieces, Pam Crowther, Marle Schofield, Melinda Rich, Hawley Barrett and Julie Stephensen. Lovingly known as "Grandma Grace" to 16 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Leslie David Burbidge "Shagg" and son, Leslie David Burbidge, Jr. "Skip"; sister, Carol Jarvis and brother, Rock M. Kirkham.
Funeral services will be held Saturday Sept. 29, 2001, 11 a.m., at the Monument Park 12th Ward Chapel, 2795 E. Crestview Dr. (1010 So). Friends and family are invited Friday evening from 6-7:30 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S. and one hour prior to services at the ward. Interment: Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Special thanks to Highland Care Center, CareSource Home Health and Hospice for their extraordinary loving care.
In lieu of flowers a contribution to the LDS Hospital Deseret Foundation, Liver Kidney Transplants will provide living hope to many.