WILTBANK, Edith

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 02/22/2013 Edith Udall Wiltbank, third generation Arizona native recently passed away in Mesa. She was born June 17, 1930, to Harry Udall and Dorinda Love in Eagar. Charles Samuel and May Brown Love as well as Joseph and Emma Goldsbrough Udall, all of whom arrived in the late 1800s, are her Arizona grandparents. She was preceded in death by her parents and all her sibings. Genevieve (Milford) Hall, Victor (Peggy), Marian (Rex) Hansen, Emma (Earl) Johnson, and Harry Wayne. Edith attended Round Valley High school, where she met Ronald Wiltbank, from Albuquerque, N.M., a fellow classmate and her future husband. They graduated together amongst a class of 19. After high school, she graduated from Arizona State University in 1951, married in 1952, and taught school for a time before starting her family; children: Thomas Ellis and Mary Ellen (deceased), Carol (David) Hartwig, Gary (deceased), (Robin) Wiltbank, Sandra Lunt, and Gale Ronald (Cathleen) Wiltbank. She is survived by 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, as well as four foster Indian children. In all, she played a significant role in birthing or raising 10 children. One of her joys in life was to talk to, serve, and feed her family members. She had a very positive slant on every angle of life. Edith’s interest in family history led her to author a book “Family Love” about her mother’s family, her siblings and life in Eagar. She would always offer to play puzzles or games. Her stories were numerous. Grandma always wanted to give her grandchildren delicious ice cream whenever they came to visit. She has rejoined her loved ones and ancestors, many of whom were pioneers. Always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Edith served as a spiritual living relief society teacher for 20 years, in addition to being an officer, conductor, nursery teacher and pianist many times. She was co-director of a special development program for exceptional children for about a decade. She also served a mission to San Jose Calif., with her husband. Burial was in the Eagar cemetery, amongst her family.