From the very beginning, Martha and I were more or less "kindred spirits." We both were teachers, we both liked to write, and we both loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a passion- she was a seasoned life-long disciple of Christ and I was a brand-new convert who left all to begin a new life within the Gospel and who had so much to learn. She was my mentor, example, mother, friend, and one of my biggest cheerleaders. She always told me how much she loved me and how proud she was of me. Having the opportunity to have her close by, to serve her, and to share her last few months was a privilege, a joy, and such a tender mercy in my life.
I had the privilege of writing much of the obituary for Martha when she passed away and I will borrow some of the obituary for this story, mixed with some of my feelings and experiences. "A valiant daughter of God, Martha Ellen Ashby Tanner, 95, passed away after a short illness on Monday, January 16, 2012, in Bountiful, Utah, just five months after the death of her eternal sweetheart, Merlynn." David had given her a beautiful blessing of release a couple of days earlier. The night she died, David and I had just left her. Don called not long after we got home to tell us that she had passed away. A couple of days earlier, she had said that she never knew how hard it was to die. She had hoped to follow Merlynn much sooner, but I think there were things that she still had to accomplish- most importantly, bringing her family together like they had never been before and giving them the chance to serve her as they never had before. Surely, Heavenly Father was in charge and He took her home when she had finished her work here on earth. What a joyful reunion there was for Merlynn and Martha that quiet, peaceful night!
Martha was always a “Spanish Fork girl,” attending school there and then graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in education. She first met "that handsome" Merlynn Tanner at a dance in Spanish Fork and danced with him again a couple months later at BYU Education Week. She let him take her home and she later commented, "I've been going home with him ever since, and have never been sorry." They were married August 6, 1941, in the Logan Temple and they built their home and their life in Payson, where they raised six children.
A consummate teacher, Martha taught hundreds of Payson’s children in the First Grade. She was known for her great ability in teaching children to read and she received numerous awards and recognition during her teaching career. She had a beautiful singing voice, which enhanced many community, church, and family gatherings. Martha found great joy in daily acts of service. The produce from Martha and Merlynn’s fruitful garden was shared with family, friends, and neighbors. Their fruit room and overflowing freezer were amazing to her grandchildren and Martha’s bread was always the most treasured treat of a visit to Grandma’s.
Martha was born a writer and was a poet extraordinaire. In her prolific verse, she rejoiced in the simple joys of life and pondered the deepest truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was the poet laureate of the family and the Park Ward, composing for special occasions, programs, and to honor those she knew and loved. Her poems were filled with insight, inspiration, and gratitude for all the blessings of the Lord in her life.
In addition to her poetry, Martha wrote and published several family histories, including her own personal history as a legacy for her posterity. She loved music and the fine arts, as well as the art of rodeo and the joy of being in Payson Canyon with Merlynn. Among the greatest gifts she gave her children was a home filled with music, laughter, fun, and culture. At an age when others would have thought themselves too old to try, she tackled and conquered the formidable and frustrating task of learning to use the computer. A life-long learner, Martha loved to read and, up to the end, she found joy in expanding her view of the world, enriching her life, and sharing her insights and discoveries with others. She was an ideal teacher and example of the Gospel, in word and deed, and she left a legacy of hard work and service in all areas of her life. Martha served an LDS mission with her husband in Seattle, Washington, serving in the office and working with Cambodian refugee members of the Church. She and Merlynn served for nearly 20 years as ordinance workers in the Provo LDS Temple. She always loved traveling and enjoyed seeing the world with her husband. In 2002, Merlynn and Martha served as Grand Marshals of the Payson Homecoming Days parade.
The last months of Mom's life were spent at Welcome Home Assisted Living in Bountiful. It was hard for her to leave Payson and the home that she loved, but the reality was that she needed to be in a place where she was safe, comfortable, and loved. Welcome Home was a warm and wonderful place and she was close to family. We were able to be there at least once a day and Don and Kris were 5 minutes away. Glen was there often, as well. Her days were full of reading, lots of visits from family and friends, and activities at Welcome Home. She especially enjoyed the musical programs and Relief Society. She wrote in her journal, " I've found this 'Welcome Home' a very good place to be. The people are friendly, the food is good and they have a lot of planned activities. And, I have time to read. Pretty soft, I'd say." Shortly after she moved into Welcome Home, Mom told me that during her prayers that morning, she had asked Heavenly Father to take her home to be with Merlynn. And then she told Him, "But if not, help me to know who I can help today." That comment has stuck with me ever since. In spite of her great loss and desire to join Merlynn, she always had her priorities straight and she desired to finish her life in the service of the Lord. She was my example, mentor, friend, and mother until the end. Thank you, Heavenly Father for the tender mercy of having Martha Tanner in my life!
