Granny's Funeral

My Dad dropped me off at SLC airport to catch my flight to Farmington where we had discovered that Doug's cousin Mike was on the same flight because Mike and Deb had been up in SLC for her family reunion.  So we met at the airport and they told us that our flight was delayed.  Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but the flight we were supposed to catch in Vegas from SLC we were going to miss as well.  Bottom line, we were not getting to Farmington that night....at least not on a plane! 

We ended up having Blake come pick us up from the airport, (he happened to be coming home from work right when we called him) take us to Ben and Christina's (who happened to leave their side garage door open and their spare keys to their other car in their house) and we were on our way to Farmington!  Mike, me, and a lot of gas station snacks!  We got to the hotel where everyone was staying around midnight and we all hit the hay!  

The funeral was Saturday morning and it was very emotional.  I obviously didn't know Granny that well, but losing Luke was still so close to home and funeral memories were very much at the surface.  Luke Jones sang the same song at Granny's funeral as well and when he did I could not contain myself.  It was beautiful but it hurt so bad.  Granny was an amazing woman and even though  I had only met her a handful of times,  I have heard a lot of stories about her and she was such a part of Doug's childhood that I feel like I knew her more than I did.  

 Leah Tanner Cardon, 92, of Farmington, a lifetime resident of San Juan County, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, July 16, 2011. She died peacefully in her home, with characteristic dignity and grace, surrounded by members of her loving family.

Leah was born June 28, 1919, in Kirtland, the third child of Donald and Mamie Taylor Tanner.

In spite of losing her mother in a tragic accident when Leah was 9 years old, she flourished in the small town atmosphere of Kirtland, supported by many relatives and friends.

When her father married Ruth McGee, the family moved to Allison, Colo., where he operated a flour mill. Leah continued her education in Allison until she reached the 9th grade. In order to finish high school, she moved back to Kirtland, where she lived with her beloved Aunt Peg and Uncle Hugh Foutz and their family.

In 1937, she graduated with honors from Central High School. As was the case with most Central High students, the educator who made the greatest impact on her life was Mrs. Grace B. Wilson. From Mrs. Wilson, Leah gained a life-long love of literature and the cultural arts, which she passed on to her children. 1940, Leah served as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern Canadian Mission. She later attended the business college in Albuquerque. after the end of World War II, on April 3, 1946, she and Robert M. ""Bob"" Cardon were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Leah and Bob were married for 54 years. Together, they raised a family of eight children. This proved to be her greatest mission in life. She was an extraordinary mother and grandmother. Her posterity love and honor her name and her example.

Leah was a good citizen, avidly involved and interested in the welfare of the country. She served as an outstanding and well-loved teacher in the LDS church. Leah particularly enjoyed teaching teenagers within the Seminary Education system.

Leah was a blend of humor, intellect, modesty, courage, and deep personal spiritual strength. A friend to all, especially to the elderly, she served wherever she saw a need. Her quiet ""behind the scenes"" acts of service have left a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Leah was preceded in death, on July 25, 2000, by her husband, Robert M. Cardon; and, on Jan. 13, 1991, by her son, Robert D. (Butch) Cardon; her parents, Donald and Mamie Taylor Tanner, brothers, Wayne, Harold, Halworth and Tommy Tanner; sisters, Marie Tanner, Helen Tanner Stradling and Ramona Tanner; maternal grandparents, Elmer Franklin Taylor and Mary Steele Taylor; paternal grandparents, Joseph Baldwin and Nora Foutz Tanner; and one great-grandchild, Luke Cardon.

Leah is survived by her sons, Doug Cardon and wife, Jan, Sam Cardon and wife, Tammy, Jim Cardon and wife, Cari; daughters, Pam Jones and husband Wes, Diane Smith, Kathie Kempton and husband, Greg, and Peggy Avery and husband, Ron; brothers, Colin Tanner, Dave Tanner, Jim Tanner and Steve Tanner; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Richardson; sisters, Ann Tanner and Donna Tanner; 39 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren and five on the way; and many dear friends.

Friends and family may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 22, at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington.

Funeral services for Leah will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, 400 W. Apache St., Apache Building, with Chris Herman conducting.

Leah will then be interred next to her husband at the Kirtland-Fruitland Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Leah's grandsons, Garrett Jones, Adam Cardon, Matt Smith, Cardon Kempton, Paul McPherson, Tyler Cardon, Doug Cardon and Nathan Kempton.

Honorary pallbearers are Leah's other grandsons Mike Jones, Ben McPherson, Jess Smith, Dallas Smith, Jacob Smith, Michael Smith, Matt Cardon, Luke Jones, Todd Cardon, Taylor Kempton and Ethan Richardson.

The Cardon family wishes to thank Northwest New Mexico Hospice and Home Care for the kindness shown to their mother.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made in Leah's memory to Northwest New Mexico Hospice, 608 Reilly Ave., Farmington, NM 87401.

Those who wish to send condolences to the family may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com.

Leah's services are entrusted to Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, (505) 325-8688.