Holladay, UT, Oct 4, 2024. Our dear Annie Merrill Ballantyne Whitton, 97, departed this life enveloped in the love of her husband Les, her posterity, her brother Joseph M. Ballantyne, and new friends who so kindly lent their support. Within one day of a fall, she forfeited releasing helium balloons and her desired helicopter ride with Les in favor of returning to Heavenly Parents, revered family, and friends, and a new fullness of life.

Annie and Les love to note: “We’ve moved 27 times!” After she met Leslie Whitton at the U of U (Salt Lake City) and married him in the Mesa Arizona Temple Dec. 22, 1947, they settled in various housing from Maine to California. Most recently, home was Spring Gardens, Vine Street (Holladay), and Oak Hills (Provo).

Along the way, after completing a B.A. in Clothing and Textiles with a minor in Art from Utah State University, Annie acquired cooking, home decorating, and leadership skills. Les always encouraged her interests and creativity, including planning family reunions, leading P.T.A. meetings, hosting the “Studyless Group”, joining “Dancing Friends”, and watching birds. She also painted, designed, remodeled, and landscaped their homes; and even studied to create fine furniture, studied Hungarian, and pursued religious study at B.Y.U.

Annie has a deep commitment to and testimony of the reality of the life of our Savior Jesus Christ, His atonement, death, and resurrection, His teachings and His church. Deep in her soul she desired to serve Him and His children and build His kingdom as she was shown by her parents, Annie Hyde Merrill and Alando Bannerman Ballantyne of Tucson, Az. She loved, led, and served her children, Mark, Kent, Laura, and Elizabeth; her in-laws, Irina, Neil, and Boyd; her 11 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren. She had the gift of fulfilling people’s needs, wants, or desires before they even knew it would add to their comfort or delight! She loved virtue and filled the world with action, beauty and joy. Annie felt great love and responsibility for the children of her revered, departed siblings: Imogen (Tucson, Az), Alando J Ballantyne (Maria, Houston); Tom Ballantyne (Margaret, Houston): and Merle (Harvey Platt, St. Johns, Az). Annie is survived by her dear brother Joseph M. Ballantyne (Martha, Provo, Ut).

After Les’ retirement, the Whittons eagerly served a proselyting mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the London England Mission. Upon their return, they were called to serve at the Provo Mission Training Center (interpretation services) beside their treasured mission friends, Dolan and Shirley Condie, also of Provo. Upon their release, hosting at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City also brought them joy. Later, Annie served at the Provo Utah Temple for 15 years.

The family wishes to express gratitude for your many kind deeds, evidenced in thought and deed to Annie and Leslie. Your phone calls, visits, cards, gifts, and physical support have lightened our lives.

Spring Gardens nursing staff, kitchen cooks and servers, and custodians have been unceasingly joyful, helpful, and skilled. Each conversation there is a gift of friendship from you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Church leadership visits over the past years have filled mom with comfort, joy, and peace. You have enriched her life and given her purpose in your friendships and assignments. She loved long-time friends in Provo and expressed gratitude for new neighbors and friends on Vine Street and Spring Gardens. We pass on her “thank you!”

A viewing will be held Fri. Oct. 25,2024, 9:30 to 10:45 AM. with a funeral service at 11:00 AM at the Salt Lake Olympus Stake Center, 2675 East 4430 South, Holladay, Ut. Family and friends are invited. You may watch the service online through Zoom using the “Watch Service” button above.

Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.