Lavona Morey

A truly wonderful woman, Lavona Morey, went to glory on June 29, 2024 in Sundance, Wyoming, after a short stay in hospice following a stroke. Lavona was born January 27, 1936 in Jackson, Michigan, to Robert and Gladys Riddering. She married her sweetheart, Eugene Morey on May 5, 1956, and they had 58 wonderful years together.

Lavona was a delight, inevitably cheerful, always welcoming with a "Hello! Hello! Hello!" In addition to their own three children, she and her husband were foster parents, often to those with special needs, adopting two along with their own.

To us, her family, she modeled what it meant to be unselfish. She taught as a substitute teacher when her own were growing up, taught classes to others in their retirement community, and drove many needy folks to their appointments and errands.

She looked after her own mother when she was elderly, cared for her ailing husband, without murmur or complaint, until her own health began to be affected. She taught everyone around her the gift of nurturing those placed in their care. She loved to crochet, to literally blanket those around her as an expression of her love.

There was a period where the family had so many handmade crocheted blankets that there was not enough furniture to drape them over. She loved caring for livestock, particularly her beloved goats. She raised goats when her children were growing up, putting milk on her family's table.

She was a dignified, lovely woman, yet she was completely at home with a pitchfork, doing chores and taking care of the animals. She loved all animals, and always had a dog.

The world is a bit emptier now, Mom, but heaven is a bit sweeter. Lavona, we've missed you for some time, though you were yet here with us.

But we rejoice that your health is restored; you're not needing your children to help you any more, though we counted it a blessing to care for one who so faithfully met others' needs. You're there in that realm where disease has no place, where death will never part, where your loved ones have been waiting.

We miss you, Mom. But it's not goodbye. We will see you later.

Lavona is preceded in death by her parents, Robert (1906-1976) and Gladys (1910-2006); her brother, Harold (1932-2012); her husband, Eugene (1924-2014) and her daughter, Jessica (1971-2021). She is survived by her children, Steve Morey and Hilda, Jim Morey, Pam (Morey) Schurman and Rob, and Lenny. She had ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.