Merrilee Turner Hopkin
Merrilee Turner Hopkin was born to Paul Hyde Turner and Reba Mary Kygar, Dec. 19, 1945. She was raised and spent her formative years in Morgan, Utah. She loved Morgan, and it was fitting that after 77 years of life, adventure and work, that she returned to Morgan and was surrounded by family as she passed from this life on Feb. 4, 2023.
Merilee graduated from Morgan High School and Weber State College. She married Jay Ellis Hopkin on Aug. 10,1964. They were later sealed in the Ogden LDS Temple. They raised their young family in Morgan. They were later divorced, and we as her children found out what our mom was made of.
Our mom was a beautiful, intelligent, strong and independent lady. She lived for us. She was the definition of selfless service. She gave every ounce of energy to raising us. She worked various jobs in Morgan, but settled into a career as a computer systems programmer at Hill Air Force Base for 24 years. She retired from the base in 2004, but was not done working. She became “Teacher Grandma” at her daughter Sara’s preschool and was loved by, and loved, so many little preschoolers. She did this for another 18 years, while also battling cancer three times. She won every time. Her toughness cannot be overstated.
Throughout her later life, she never slowed. She found more energy to love, teach, care for and worry about us, our spouses, 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She didn’t want to leave. She would have stayed and taught and loved us all forever if she could have, but she finally admitted that she was exhausted. She gave us everything. We will miss you mom. We’ll see you again. Please try to rest, and don’t worry anymore. You taught us well. We’ll be ok.
Merrilee loved her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Hyde Turner and Reba Mary Kygar, and her brother Jan Kygar Turner. She is survived by her close and beloved sisters, Marsha Ann Martin, Kirsten Ball and Wendy Claire Turner. She is also survived by her children Heather (Mike Maloney), Jess (Camille Hopkin), Sara (Mike Waite) and Joe (Tori Hopkin) and the aforementioned grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank and express appreciation for the great care and attention mom has received at Family Tree, and from Inspiration Hospice her being able to be in the town she loved, with the people she loved when she simply had to go.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 at the Morgan Stake Center, 355 N. 700 East, at 11 a.m. A viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will follow at the South Morgan Cemetery.
