Edith Murray Perkins Crane

Born in Roy, Utah, to Ray B. and Lorraine Murray Perkins, Edith was the fourth child of a tight-knit group of eight siblings: Raylene, Paul, Betty, June (deceased), Dennis, Kathleen (deceased), and Arlene. These siblings, joined by their cousin, Dawna, with whom Edith shared a special bond, had a hard-scrabble upbringing that required them to rely upon each other from childhood through adulthood.

A conscientious student and hard worker, Edith graduated from Roy High School in 1969. While in high school, not only was she excelling in her own classes, but she was also doing her brother Paul’s homework, trying to keep her sister June from wearing her newly-bought clothes to school, and working full-time at the IRS. This was the beginning of her long career working for the federal government. After high school, she left the IRS to work at Hill Air Force Base where she began in the stenographer pool and retired as a GS-15 in the Air Logistics Command after decades of service. She won the HAFB Civilian of the Year Award in 2002 of which she was very proud. She was both tough and fair as a boss, and she was always willing to stand up for what she felt was right. After her retirement from HAFB, she continued to work as a defense contractor, retiring in June of 2024.

Edith married N. DuVal Talbot from whom she later divorced. They had two daughters together: Wendy (Thomas) Price and Talona (Michele) Talbot; five grandchildren: Alexander (Rachael) Price, Carrigan (Chandler) Zaugg, Carlysle Price, Kennedy Price, Graham Talbot; and two great-grandchildren: Tommy Price and Carter Price, all of whom she spoiled and loved very much. She later married and divorced Howard Crane.

Her leadership style carried over into her role as a tough but firm and fair disciplinarian at home. There was always a clear set of rules, and if the rules were followed things went well and everyone was happy. But if rules were not followed, there were definitely consequences-and the 10:00PM curfew meant 10:00PM, not 10:01-and stepping over the property line was leaving the yard so you better have permission!

At Christmas time, Edith created magic for her girls. She would spend hours putting silver icicles on the tree so they were just right, and on Christmas morning the amount of presents under the tree was incredible. She was insistent that her girls got to spend all of Christmas day at their own home, so to make that happen she hosted an open-house style Christmas dinner at her home for all of her siblings and their families. Some of our fondest Christmas memories are watching our mom and aunts and uncles fight over our Speak-n-Spell, or see if they could score higher than each other on Bop-It, or even watch them try to use our new pogo stick. It was great entertainment and was nearly as fun as getting the presents themselves.

It was always her greatest desire and perhaps demand that her children earn a college degree; it was her favorite lecture to deliver. When her oldest daughter, Wendy, was in high school, Edith decided it was time to put her money where her mouth was. While maintaining her demanding position at HAFB, Edith went to college one class at a time. Several years after Wendy graduated from college, Edith was very proud to walk across the stage and earn her bachelor's degree the same day as her youngest daughter, Talona. This is just one example of the fact that she would never ask you to do something she was not willing to do herself.

As a single parent working to make ends meet, Edith ensured her children never went without anything-needs or wants. Talona often tells people that growing up her mom gave her everything she ever asked for except a 3-wheeler because “those weren’t safe.” When the girls were in junior high and high school, if there was an impromptu sleep-over, it was always at Edith’s house because everyone knew she would let the girls be loud, stay up late, and have fun.

Later when she had grandchildren, this tradition of spoiling continued in the form of season Jazz tickets with her four-year old grandson, Alexander, extravagant trips to Yellowstone, red-rock off-roading in Moab, Disneyland, and Ireland with just Grandma and the grandkids where the fun was never-ending. She attended innumerable soccer games, volleyball tournaments, dance competitions, karate advancements, and piano recitals. She always supported and enjoyed her grandchildren.

She was a very generous person, and along with her siblings, Edith would often search out opportunities to give anonymously to those in our community. She faced many challenges in her life, but always with determination, confidence, and stubbornness like you have never seen-those of you who knew Edith well will know exactly what we are talking about.

Edith was very active throughout her life and enjoyed camping, bicycling, golfing, water-skiing, and snow-skiing, while also enjoying some more sedentary hobbies like reading, sewing and macramé. She enjoyed going out for lunch or dinner, attending concerts and traveling with friends and family. She was a good and loyal friend and has maintained many life-long friendships. We especially want to thank her friend Judy Stanger who has not only been her friend through many life challenges, but especially through this last years-long health battle. We cannot thank you enough-you are truly an angel.

We appreciate the excellent care and compassion Edith received at Huntsman Cancer Institute and believe that it was their compassionate expertise combined with her stubborn optimism that allowed her to be with us so much longer than her diagnosis suggested.

Scarlett, her furriest and favorite child, will be eagerly waiting for her daily car rides in heaven.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd., Ogden, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 W. 5600 S.

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