Elthura Raymond Merrill Gossner "Tory"
SMITHFIELD, UTAH: Tory, beloved great-great grandmother, great
grandmother, grandmother, mother, wife,
sister and friend died Thursday, May 19, 2005 of
causes incident to age while a resident at
Terrace Grove Assisted Living Center in Logan, Utah.
She was born 13 August 1908 in Smithfield, Utah, the
first daughter and second child
in a family of five children to Julia Cantwell and
Wallace Raymond. Her older brother, Wallace,
died at age 12, but she and her three younger
brothers, Frank, Russell and James, grew up in the
family friendly town of Smithfield with many fond
memories of relatives and numerous friends.
At age 14, the family joined her Dad in southern
California for two years while he found
work in the construction business of that booming
area. They returned to Smithfield to live and
Tory entered North Cache High School as a junior where
she was active in extra curricular
activities such as drama, debate and cheerleading. She
and three of her close friends became a
popular performing and singing group throughout the
Valley called the "Sweet Sixteens." She
was selected as class valedictorian with a straight A
record and also the Outstanding Girl
graduate for that year.
Following graduation she married Osmond Marriner
Merrill in the Logan Temple. They
subsequently lived in Richmond, Idaho Falls, Logan and
Smithfield while raising their three
children, Pat, Monte and Jimmy. After the children
were out of elementary school, she was
asked to become a secretary for her uncle, James
Kirkbride, who was serving as the
Superintendent of Schools for Cache County. That led
to almost 30 years as the secretary at
North Cache High School and later at Sky View High
School and again at the Superintendent's
Office.
In those schools, she became the "go to"
person for all of the students who loved her
optimistic and cheerful personality, that she had all
the answers, her genuine personnel and
business skills and that she could call each one of
them by name and knew who their parents and
siblings were. This later trait she maintained well
into her nineties. She became a skilled homemaker and
cook and her hands were never idle as she always
was quilting, knitting or sewing.
She and Oz were
steady workers in numerous ward and stake
callings throughout their 52 years of married life. Oz
died in 1979 and in late 1980, she married
Edwin Gossner, Sr. a neighbor and long-time friend.
They had seven wonderful years together
living in Smithfield and Mesa, Arizona and going on a
number of enjoyable car and international
trips. Ed died in 1987 and she has lived in Logan
since that time.
Tory was one of Heavenly Father's earthly angels as
she "mothered" her own family and everyone she came in
contact with. She was tireless in her service to
others.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two
grandchildren Richard Michaud and
Corey Mendenhall, brother Frank, son Jim, Oz and Ed
and is survived by her daughter, Pat (Dick
Michaud) and Monte (Eunice Tidwell) and 13
grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren and 21
great, great grandchildren and her two younger
brothers Russ Raymond of Power, Montana and
Jim Raymond of Montpelier, Idaho.
Graveside services will be 11 :00 a.m. on Monday, May
23, 2005 in the Smithfield Cemetery. Arrangements by
Allen-Hall Mortuary. The family wishes to thank
Dr.Steven Salisbury, her primary care physician, the
wonderful staff of Terrace Grove and the special IHC
Hospice staff led by nurse Anna.
Online condolences may be sent to the family and a
guest book signed at Allen Mortuaries.