Elda Viola Criddle Child

Elda Viola Criddle Child

SYRACUSE a€" Elda Viola Criddle Child, a great lady, loving matriarch and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 13, 2007 in Syracuse, Utah at her home in which she had lived for nearly 85 years. She was 106 years old.

Viola was born on December 5, 1901 in Syracuse, Utah. She was the sixth of ten children born to William and Sarah Linford Criddle. She loved her family and stayed close to them throughout their lives. She often called her mother, "My angel mother." What a joyful reunion they all experienced on Sunday!

On June 4, 1919, Viola married Mark Fay Child in Hooper, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on December 10, 1924. They settled on a small farm in Syracuse and worked hard, instilling in their children the value of work. They were examples of honesty and integrity. They were blessed with four children: Dale, Helen, William and Sheldon. Her husband Fay passed away on February 1, 1991.

Viola was a woman who loved life and lived it to the fullest. She loved being with family and friends. Anyone visiting her home could not leave without a piece of homemade pie or a dish of ice cream. She was an excellent cook. Her hands never sat idle. She crocheted hundreds of afghans and lovingly stitched many treasured quilts.

Viola was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many church callings during her lifetime, including Relief Society president in the Syracuse First ward. She had a compassionate heart and lived a life of service a€" visiting the sick and bringing comfort to those in need. She served as a visiting teacher until she was 103 years old. She was proud of her pioneer heritage and was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers for over 60 years.

Her greatest joy was her family. She was blessed with four children, 23 grandchildren, 82 great-grandchildren and 57 great-great-grandchildren. She wanted each one to know how much they were loved.

She is survived by two sons, William H. Child (Pat), serving as a missionary in Washington D.C.; and Sheldon F. Child (Joan), Salt Lake City; a son-in-law, Keith West, Syracuse; and her great posterity. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her husband, a son and his wife, Dale and Ireta Child, a daughter, Helen West, a daughter-in-law Darline child, two grandsons and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 18, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Syracuse Utah Bluff Stake Center, 2350 W. 1900 So. Friends and family may call Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the stake center. Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the care givers and hospice workers who cared for her so lovingly.