Thalia Griffin Schmertz

Thalia Griffin Schmertz, 78, died on November 7, 2013, at Emeritus Senior Living Center in Salt Lake City.Thalia, or Griff as she was known to most of her friends, was born in Fallon, Nevada on November 12, 1934 although her first home was in nearby Ione, a small mining town that survived until only 1959. At an early age and following the death of her father in a hunting accident, Thalia's family moved to Salt Lake City. She graduated from Granite High School and later attended the University of Utah where she was active in the Delta Gamma sorority. She married Bernie Schmertz in 1955 and started a new life of travel and adventure. Bernie served as an officer in the US Air Force for 20 years and that career took them many places throughout the country. Along the way, they raised a family and made lifelong friends at every stop. Eventually, they returned to Salt Lake City where Thalia became deeply involved in charity work and political activism all while enjoying a career in student advising at the University of Utah College of Business .After retiring, Thalia and Bernie built a home in a unique new development called Kayenta near St. George, Utah. They loved desert living with the stunning red cliffs of Snow Canyon just outside their window. When she wasn't hiking the local canyons, Thalia was tirelessly busy with local charity activities, including founding an organization called AAUW St. George. This group helps underprivileged girls gain access to better educational opportunities, especially in the sciences and math. Her time in Kayenta also allowed her to achieve another major goal in 2004. She was a driving force behind the creation of the Desert Rose Labyrinth and meditation garden. This project became a true passion in her life and it remains a tribute to her belief in meditation as a healing power. Thalia and Bernie loved to travel and they were fortunate to visit and experience much of the world. Africa, Scandinavia, Continental Europe, China and Southeast Asia were all destinations. Plus, through their moves with the Air Force, they traversed America from coast to coast many times.Thalia had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nothing would make her happier than hearing news of their school activities and other achievements, and she loved every minute she spent with them. During her final years, Thalia faced a tough battle with Parkinson's Disease but she took on the challenge with her usual sense of humor and always with a smile on her face. She truly loved all the people who helped her through this experience, especially the many friends and caregivers who spent so much time with her. Thalia is survived by husband Bernie, daughter Terri Holbrooke, son David Schmertz and daughter-in-law Rosemary Schmertz, grandchildren Whitney Backman and husband Mike Backman, Matthew Schmertz and Carleigh Schmertz as well as great grandchildren Halle Backman, Sydney Backman and Griffin Backman. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=168010006#sthash.nUwe07XD.dpuf