Mabel Ellen Davidson

On January 23rd, 2023, our lovely, vibrant, strong, sassy, funny and persevering wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandmother and friend, Mabel Ellen Davidson, passed from this mortal coil and into the heavens for her well-earned rest. She was a woman of strength, light, wit, and wisdom, who knew who she was and worked hard and persevered through all the days of this human experience. Ellen was born at home, in a small cabin, on March 16, 1932, in Elba, Idaho, the oldest child of Wilbur and Ethel (Barker) Taylor. She was one of a 6 sibling set, being sisters Betty Florine, Patty and Pamela, and brothers Merlin and Doug. Always the helper and hard worker, she was a sober and responsible girl who always watched out for those in her care. Ellen had a love of learning and reading that never waned through the years, and which she passed along to her children and grandchildren. Ellen met her lifelong love, friend and companion, Edward Davidson, in a dance hall, where she and her mother and father spent many a Friday night. Ed was smitten from the beginning, telling his future father-in-law “That’s the girl I’m going to marry, right there.” – and marry her he did. Ed and Ellen were married on June 2, 1950, right after her high school graduation, where she was the Salutatorian, and thus began their grand adventure in building a home and a family, and living their big, robust life. Through their years together, they had 6 children, 25 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and so far, 3 great-great grandchildren. Ellen was a talented woman, though modest always in this proclamation. She was an outstanding seamstress and for many years, from childhood on, made countless items for her home, for her family, and for her friends. She was passionate about her garden: fruit, vegetables, and flowers, as well as many indoor houseplants. Summertime was filled with raspberries, huckleberries, cucumbers, and tomatoes, with bees buzzing and butterflies flitting amongst rose bushes and tiny lilies of the valley. In the fall, she canned, preserved, dried, and set up all sorts of foodstuffs in her pantry. As a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Ellen served in many capacities, as Sunday School Treasurer, Visiting Teacher, Relief Society President and Young Women’s Leader, both in leadership and in support within her ward and stake. These callings included into her 70’s, wherein she served as the Young Women’s Camp Director. Ellen would have been 91 years old in March — and this is a gigantic life, too full and too beautiful to regale its completeness here. This life long-lived and bursting at the seams, was filled with family and friends and neighbors, co-workers and strangers. It was filled with learning, love, joy, regret, sorrow, pain, sacrifice, service and perseverance. We feel her vacancy and grieve her loss, while at the same time, know that it was also her time to fly – her time for release and peace. Ellen is preceded in death by her mother and father, Ethel (Taylor) Ward and Wilbur Taylor, her brother Merlin (Suzy) Taylor, and her little sister, Betty Florine, by her grandsons, Stephen Singleton and Cory Davidson, one little great grandbaby, Lucas Slack, and by many other family members and friends that she loved dearly. She is survived by her husband Edward Davidson, siblings Patty (Dan) Neddo, Pamela (Goldie) Teeter, and Doug (Jane) Ward, by her children Bob (Cindy) Davidson, Ann (Bob) Smith, Sharon (Brad) Slack, Brad (Polly) Davidson, Tami (Larry) Privett and Jerel (Tracy) Davidson, her granddaughters Tara Smith and Tiffany Ruiz, as well her many beloved grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, extended family, and many friends, neighbors, and community members. We welcome those who wish to join the family in mourning her passing and in celebrating her life to join us in Visitation and Services, held as follows: Friday, February 10th, 2023 • Viewing and Family Visiting from 6:00-8:00 p.m., held at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 W. 4100 S., West Valley City, Utah 84120. Saturday, February 11th, 2023 • Viewing and Family Visiting held from 11:00-11:45 a.m. at the Hunter East Stake Center, LDS Church, at 5000 W. Pavant Ave., West Valley City, Utah 84120. • Memorial Funeral Services begin at 12 p.m. • Interment will be held at Valley View Cemetery, 4335 W. 4100 S., West Valley City, Utah 84120 Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ValleyViewFuneral.com for the Davidson family.