Lorna Jane Thacker Merkley Smith

Following a fall on December 19, 2018, our sweet mother returned to join her loved ones in heaven. Lorna Jane, was a master homemaker. She once wrote “My being at home gave me time to do my thing in cooking and baking. I love to do that and I love to share with others.” We all grew up nurtured by mother’s abundant skills; however, when she said she loved to share, share she did. She would bake large batches of bread, rolls or pies and expect them to be delivered while they were still warm. In everything she baked or did, she stirred in abundant love, compassion and thoughtfulness. Her home was always open to all.
Lorna was the daughter of LeRoy and Wealtha Thacker and grew up in Altamont, Utah. She loved to perform with her sisters. Ours was a home filled with music. She loved children. Ours was a home filled with laughter. She enjoyed a church calling as a dance director, and she taught old time dances to wards and stakes. She also delighted in writing poetry and serving in numerous church callings including Relief Society President, work counselor, primary teacher and nursery leader.
Mother was blessed to marry two incredible men. She married Kirk Merkley July 15, 1946. Dad passed away August 9, 1999. Dr. John Smith filled Mother’s later years with joy and compassion. They married on April 17, 2006 and John passed away August 8, 2011.
We will remember Mother as someone who loved life, music, feeding people physically and emotionally; Jazz games, dancing and serving others. She will be greatly missed as she was such a large part of our lives. These words from a poem she wrote in 1999 express our same feelings:
I promised you I’d be brave and good
 so I’ll go on and live as I should.
Keep looking after me from above
I’ll keep hanging in there and feeling your love.
Service Information
Viewing December 22, 2018 at 10:00-11:00 am
Memorial Holladay~Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay,Utah 84117





Graveside Service
December 29, 2018 at 11:00 AM
Altamont-Mount Emmons Cemetery, 3700 North 16500 West, Altamont, Utah 84001