Merlene (Zaccaria) Wilson

On April 29, 2016; our amazing mother Merlene (Zaccaria) Wilson, made her final journey.  Mom fought hard for the last few months against the causes that took her. It was the company of her family and the dedication of her friends who were by her side that eased her way back home. We are very grateful to those remarkable friends and want give our heartfelt thanks.
Mom was one of thirteen children born to Steve and Conjoy (Farlaino) Zaccaria. Mom was born in Sunnyside and raised in Price Utah. Carbon County was her stomping grounds until she married “The boy next door”; William Guy Wilson and they moved to Murray Utah. There she raised her family: Three daughters, Connie (Frank) Allen, Norma (Dave) Turner, Brenda Wilson and son, Guy Robert Wilson. Her family grew to include five Grandchildren, sixteen Great-Grand Children and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mom enjoyed visiting family. When our Southern Utah and Carbon County families  sent invitations to  weddings, baptisms, graduations or birthday parties mom was there. Mom visited her grandson and family in Georgia twice. New York, Saint  Louis, Kentucky, nor California was to far for our mother to travel. Where there is family  there is love.  We, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would gather around the kitchen or patio tables for many events. True to form, as an Italian woman of her generation, she showed her love through the gift of cooking. Mom celebrated every holiday by preparing a feast.  Even if you went to her home to simply visit, mom would set out a banquet fit for a king.
Mom believed in the Catholic Church and was a very active member of the St. Martin De Porres Parish. Mom reminisced often of the trek through Europe she and others from the parish took. The highlight of her adventure was attending a public mass while at the Vatican. Throughout the years mom typically served on committees by organizing the kitchen, preparing the menu and serving food. This was one of the reasons she was awarded “Catholic Woman of The Year” in 1987. One of mom’s favorite events was the days that she and her dear friends would serve the homeless at Saint Vincent’s soup kitchen which they did for “YEARS”.
Mom worked in the food industry her entire life making and keeping many friends along the way. She retired from a management position for Murray City Parks and Recreation in 1999. The last twenty years of her career mom could be found behind the grills of Murray Park’s original ice skating rink in the winter and at the snack shack in the summer.  In fact if you are from Murray City, chances are that mom, known as “MER” has either fed you or taught you the meaning of hard work.
Merlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Wilson and her only son, Guy Wilson.  Her Parents: Two siblings: Caterina and Frank who passed as infants. Brothers: Steve, George, Mike, Dominick Zaccaria; Sisters, Margaret McLaughlyn, Vera Gurule.
Survived by: Her daughters:  Sisters, Rose Lemieux, Ann May, Lena Llewelyn; brother Jake Zaccaria.
Services will be held Friday and Saturday at St. Martin De Porres, 4914 S 2200 W Taylorsville, Utah  Rosary will be Friday, May 6, 2016 @ 7 PM  Viewing one hour prior.  Funeral Mass will be Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ 11 AM Viewing 1 Hour prior to Mass.  Memorial contributions may be made to:
Saint Vincent DePaul Resource Center, Note The Soup Kitchen, 437 West 200 South, Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84101, 801-363-7710,  www.ccsutah.org.
Service Information
Viewing May 6, 2016 at 6:00 PM | Rosary 7:00 PM
St. Martin De Porres, 4914 South 2200 West, Taylorsville, Utah





Viewing May 7, 2016 at 10:00 AM
St. Martin De Porres, 4914 South 2200 West, Taylorsville, Utah





Funeral Service
May 7, 2016 at 11:00 AM
St. Martin De Porres, 4914 South 2200 West, Taylorsville, Utah