Linda Dene Perry Watts

Linda Dene Perry Watts

February 15, 1945 ~ October 29, 2020

Linda Dene Perry Watts passed away on October 29, 2020 at the age of 75. She was born on February 15, 1945 to loving parents, Elizabeth Bernice Kirton and Howard George Perry, the day after her mother’s 21st birthday. She was accompanied in birth by her twin sister, Lorna Dawn. They joined her sister Nancy who had arrived just 15 months earlier. After which they were joined by Stephen and Gregory. Linda and Lorna were Valentine babies for their mom, and they always celebrated their birthdays together on Valentine’s Day. 
She was raised in Davis County, living in Farmington and Kaysville, and graduated from Davis High School, class of 1963. They were known to their classmates as the “Dene-Dawn” twins. 

She attended Weber State College for a few years and chose to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New Zealand Christchurch Mission. While in New Zealand, she developed lifelong friendships and frequently mentioned her experiences there that solidified her testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a missionary all of her life, sharing her light and love with everyone she met. Throughout her life, she had the ability to see others deeply as the Savior did and his love radiated in her smile.

Upon returning home from her beloved service as a full-time missionary, she returned to Weber State to continue her education as a business major then switching to home economics. She also sang in the institute choir. Her favorite class was an English class by Mrs. Brown. Her love for writing and words was ignited in that class and continued with her throughout her life as she kept many pages of journals and wrote numerous inspiring letters, notes, and poetry.

While attending Weber State, she met the love of her life, Richard Eldon Watts, doing what she loved to do, singing! They were members of the Weber State Institute Choir and had both recently returned from serving missions. They were a match made in heaven of almost complete opposites and after a whirlwind romance; their love was sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on June 6, 1969. Throughout her life he returned to the temple often, deepening her love for the temple and her testimony that families can be together forever.

Nine months and 10 days later, they added the first of their cherished children, Wendiann. Two years later, Darren joined their family. Then a year and a half later, Jonathan came. Shanalyn joined the family 3 years after that and the bonus blessing of Greg came along 3 years later to complete their family circle.

They loved growing their family and adored each new addition, and Linda loved and enJOYed being a mother. Motherhood was her life’s work and her little inspirational messages became endearingly known as “loving lectures from Linda.” 

During that time of growing their family, they moved from Sandy, Utah to Cass Lake, Minnesota to Fargo, North Dakota, to Fruita, Colorado, and finally returning full circle to Sandy, Utah. She served faithfully and with all her heart in many capacities as a member of the Church in all the places they lived. She was best friends with everyone she met, and she saw the very best qualities in those around her.

As her children grew up, she devoted all her efforts to teaching her children the gospel of Jesus Christ. She always said “I have no greater JOY than to hear that my children walk in light and truth.” As grandchildren came along, she expanded her joy to include them, saying, “I have no greater JOY than to hear that my children AND GRANDchildren walk in light and truth.” 

Over a 20 year period, she suffered from the effects of Inclusion Body Myositis. This disease slowly limited her abilities but not her optimism and truly positive nature. She created a can-can list as a reminder of her eternal and physical abilities that could not be touched by IBM. 

We celebrate Linda, who has new legs in heaven, an endless can-can list and can now be found running stairs and singing at the top of her lungs and hugging everyone she sees. All her EFFORT (Everyday Forging Forward, Onward, Rising Triumphant) has paid off. She has truly risen triumphant to meet her Savior, her Redeemer, and her Friend. We honor you and love you and can’t wait to see you again!

She is survived by her husband, Richard; her children, Wendiann Trent (Jack), Darren Watts (Cindy), Jonathan Watts (Susan), Shanalyn Wilde (Brandon), and Greg Watts; her grandchildren, Sadilyn Andersen (Jason), Annelise Trent, Meghan Watts, Elijah Trent, Kaleb Watts, Michael Watts, Kaden Watts, Lincoln Wilde, Jacob Watts, Robert Watts, Grant Wilde, Elizabeth Watts, Eli Wilde, Violette Wilde, Ruby Wilde, Oliver Wilde; and her sisters and brother, Nancy Woodward (Don), Lorna Bird (Don), and Steve Perry (Dawnetta). She was able to be reunited on the other side of the veil with her parents, Howard and Bernice Perry, and her brother, Greg.

A viewing will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens on Sunday, November 1, 2020, from 6-8pm. The family requests that social distancing be observed. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 2, 2020, at 11am at the Crescent 11th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 85 E. 11000 S., Sandy Utah. Due to the COVID restrictions, family and invited friends should come.