Anna Mae Weeks Bright Rudd Brandt

Anna Mae Weeks Bright Rudd Brandt

The brightest light in our lives returned to our Heavenly Father, and to her eternal companion and son, on Thursday, February 12th, 2009. Even as her light on earth extinguished, so will her light shine brighter in heaven, giving warmth and comfort to those she left on earth.

Anna Mae Weeks, Bright, Rudd, Brandt was born on March 7th, 1930 to Clarence and Linda Josephine Tomasi Weeks. Mom was the oldest of two brothers and a half-sister, and several step-siblings. With the early death of her father, mom took on the role of nurturer to her brothers. Mom had a wonderful example of unconditional love, not only from her mother, but her grandmother Anna Tomasi, her name-sake, who she loved dearly.

Mom married her eternal sweetheart, Laron Donald Bright on November 8th, 1949, for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were blessed with two boys and three girls who were the joy of their life. They moved from a small farmhouse in Linrose, Idaho, to Layton, Utah in 1950, where she resided until her death.

Mom was no stranger to sorrow having her son pass away at the young age of 7, and her sweetheart at the age of 44. With these passings, Mom showed great strength and trust in the Lord in raising her children in an atmosphere of love and acceptance.

She was blessed with a second companion, Clifford Rudd, in 1979, adding two step-daughters to her family circle. She was again visited by sorrow when he passed in August in 1993.

Mom was fortunate to find love again in 1998 when she married Herbert Brandt. She was so grateful that he accepted her family as his own and mom could not have found a more loving and caring help-meet in her golden years. There was nothing mom needed that he did not provide. He will miss and love her the rest of his life.

Throughout her life she had many interests, opportunities, and blessings. She graduated from Preston High School, then worked as a sales clerk for a short time at the local five-and-dime store. After marrying her sweetheart and moving to Utah, she was a devoted mother and homemaker. When Don passed away she re-entered the work force, taking on the role of provider for her children. She worked as a reading tutor at Vae View Elementary and later as a sales clerk at Mode O''day and Mother Goose retail stores in Layton. She embraced every new adventure in her life with courage.

Mom had a deep and abiding testimony of Jesus Christ and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had opportunities to serve as a Primary president, Relief Society counselor, life-long visiting teacher, and recently as visiting teaching supervisor. A highlight for her was serving with Herb as an Ogden Temple worker for two years. She had many teaching opportunities within the church, but none were greater than the life she lived and the example she showed for her children and grandchildren. Mom loved gardening, flowers, and e-mailing her family and friends. Her greatest joy and interest was watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren perform in plays, concerts, and sporting events. Her grandchildren remember mom as their biggest fan. She had the great ability of making each one feel that they were so special and her very favorite!

Mom leaves her husband, son Rob (Connie) Bright, daughters Beverly (Douglas) Smedley of Layton; Tami (Mark) Silvester, Mindy (Mike) Hardy of Salt Lake City; step-daughters Laurel Johansen of Layton; and Tamara (Rick) Hendrickson of Cottonwood Heights, step-son Terrel (Shanley) Anderson of Loomis, California; brother Melvin (Marilyn) Weeks of Pocatello, Idaho; and step-brother Lloyd Chechetts of Berkley, Idaho. She also leaves 18 grandchildren, Nathan (Amy) Smedley, Amber (Josh) Colledge, Joni (Rich) Swanson, Adam (Jill) Smedley, Brian Johansen, Trevor (Amanda) Bright, Cari (Nathan) Baker, Robyn (Jeremy) Paskett, Chris (Shanell) Silvester, Shanna Bright, Dani (Hayden) Karr, Brant (Jill) Silvester, Josh Smedley, Tori Bright, Sky Bright, Kayla Johansen, Brianna Bright. She also has 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, first 2 husbands, son Lonnie, granddaughter Melissa, brother Vernal Weeks, and sister Geraldine Sorenson. She was very close with her sisters-in-law Venice Wood and Shirley Baird. Mom took great joy in remaining close to all of her husbands'' siblings.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 16, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Dayton, Idaho Cemetery.

Mom a€" we will never forget you and will hold you close to our hearts until we meet again.