MATAALII, Elena

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona 12/18/2009 Beloved Elena Tortice Mataalii, 59, returned to our Heavenly Father Dec. 10, 2009, from complications of cancer in West Jordan, Utah, surrounded by her family. Elena was born June 18, 1950, in Show Low to John Tortice and Noddy Early Tortice. She received her education at American Fork High School in American Fork, Utah, and Brigham Young University at Hawaii. She was an expert seamstress, scriptorian, florist and completely embraced her traditional Native belief and her Church, serving many callings therein, the joy of her life was her family especially the little grandchildren who received her undivided support with their sports and other important events. She loved to travel to different areas of the world with her spouse and enjoyed learning about other cultures and traditions. She was always available to help her immediate family and her extended family during their time of need and she was loved by all her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all. She is survived by her spouse Lincoln Mataalii; sons Lucius (Penny), John Paul (Emily); three daughters Gena (Jake), Linnea (Bryce), and Joy; nine grandchildren. She is also survived by her foster parents Gene and Clara Thomas of American Fork, Utah; sisters Tina (Raymond), Lorinda (Paul), Juanita, Louise and Lorraine and many relatives on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Her parents John Tortice and Noddy Early Tortice, brothers Matthew John, Derl, Emerson and Davey and one sister Shauna preceded her in death. Services were held Dec. 17, in the West Jordan 4th Ward Latter Day Saint Church in West Jordan, Utah. Interment was at American Fork, Utah Cemetery.