Shirley Louise Hewitson Olpin

"Together Again"
Shirley Louise Hewitson Olpin returned to the waiting arms of her loving husband on February 27, 2014. Her last days were spent at the home of her daughter Linda in Murray, Utah, where she was cared for by her children. She was born at the home of her Grandma Reed in Rockport, Utah, May 15, 1930, to Minnie LaVon Reed and Thomas Mark Hewitson.

Shirley grew up in Park City, Utah, the daughter of a silver miner, and spent much time at her grandmother’s home in Rockport. She had many good friends with whom she stayed close throughout her life. As a teenager she worked at Pop Jenk’s Ice Cream Shop and Girl Scout Camp Cloud Rim. She graduated from Park City High in 1948, then attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. During that time she worked at Pyke Manufacturing, then Newpark Mining.

She met her sweetheart, Richard Guy Olpin in June of 1952. They were married September 8, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their lives were blessed with seven children: Linda (Steve) Neiswender, Karen (Merrill) Nelson, Mark L. (Dawn) Olpin, Kathy (Kris) Gruwell, Jeanne (Bob) Gunnell, Donald K. Olpin (deceased), and Brian J. Olpin.

Shirley’s was a life of service to family, friends, neighbors, community, and church. She worked side by side with her husband, his parents and brother Ted in their family mortuary business. They also provided local ambulance service in the early years. Shirley’s brother Bill, and later her son Mark also joined the business. She served on the Auxiliary of the Utah Funeral Directors as secretary, vice president, and president.

Shirley loved creating, and helping others create. She spent many happy hours sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, and sharing these hobbies and the works of her hands with friends and family. Her door was always open for friends to drop by and quilt. Community projects were frequently enjoyed at her home. We remember fondly the “epidemic of glass grapes”. She was welcoming to everyone, and new acquaintances left as friends.

Shirley was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and served him throughout her life. She was a strong support to Guy in his many callings and magnified her callings as a Primary, Sunday School, and Mutual teacher, Visiting Teacher, Relief Society counselor, Ward and Stake Young Women’s counselor, and temple worker in the Provo Temple. She was enthusiastic, capable, and diligent in the many projects she undertook.

In her later years she lovingly provided care for her eternal sweetheart. Although she lacked formal training, there was no better nurse, and she devoted her life to his comfort and aid. She now follows him to continue their service together, leaving behind six children, twenty-three grandchildren, and twenty-three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers and sister: Ken (Mandy) Hewitson, Bill (Darlene) Hewitson, Dorothy Foster, and Jim Hewitson; sister-in-law Dawnette Hewitson and her dear Olpin in-laws. She was preceded in death by her husband Guy, parents, infant son Donald K., brother Reed, brother-in-law Kenneth Foster, and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday March 8, 2014, at 12:00 noon in the Heber City North Stake Center, 550 East 500 North, Heber City, Utah. Viewings will be held Friday March 7 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Probst Family Funeral Home 79 East Main Street, Midway, Utah, and Saturday March 8 from 10:00 - 11:30 at the church. Interment will be in the Heber City Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are by Probst Family Funeral Home in Midway, Utah. Condolences may be shared at www.probstfamilyfunerals.com