Margaret Althea Callis Morley

On January 10, 2023, our remarkable and courageous Mother, Grandmother (Nana), Daughter, Sister, Aunt and Mother-in-law passed peacefully with her three children by her side. Margaret is survived by her children Gary Kimball Morley, Patrice Elaine Morley (Randy Inglefield), David Lloy Morley, granddaughter Kristen Nicole Morley and her constant companion, Lil’ Beau (her cat).

Margaret was born in Los Angeles, California on July 6, 1933, to David Marion Callis and Ethel Baker Callis. She grew up in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles and graduated from John Marshall High School. She grew up with one sibling, Florence Woodmansee, who passed away in 2013. Her Father and Mother owned and were actors in which they traveled the country known as The Callis-Baker Players. Margaret’s father, David is credited with 9 movies with Mayfair Pictures and Paramount Studios in the 1920’s & 1930’s. Unfortunately, Margaret never knew her Father as he passed away in 1934 when she was one year old. In her early 80’s, for the first time, she was able to see her father act and hear his voice on DVD in numerous movies in which he acted. Ethel, Florence, and Margaret moved to SLC in 1951 and Margaret attended the University of Utah where she met Gary Gene Morley. They married and had Gary, Patrice, and David.

Margaret and Gary Gene subsequently divorced. Margaret then committed her life to raising her three children as a single mother. She worked as a surgical technician at LDS Hospital and later at the U of U as the Credentials Secretary at the University Job Placement Center. In 1999, Margaret was awarded "Employee of the Year" due to her exemplary work ethics. Margaret retired in 2001.

Margaret was very active in the lives of her three children as a single mother even after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in her twenties. She struggled with the disease for many years and at times was confined to a wheelchair and temporarily lost her vision. Throughout all the difficulties she experienced with MS and as a single mother, she stayed fully involved in the lives of her children. She held various positions in the PTA to include President and continued to stay active in different capacities in the PTA at Whittier Elementary, Lincoln Junior High and South High School.

After struggling for several years, she was blessed as the disease went into remission, considerably lessening the symptoms. Margaret and her family were blessed in that the MS was still in remission at the time of her peaceful passing.

Margaret was very spiritual and a woman of faith. She frequently expressed to her children that faith in God had always and would always get her and her family through the difficult times. She frequently told her children, “Life without faith is like trying to breath without air.” She attended and worked at The Cathedral of the Madeline where for many years she was a Lector/Reader at Mass. In addition, she supervised and was extremely instrumental in the implementation of the Good Samaritan program which assisted the homeless with meals, shelter, and transportation.

Margaret lived at 213 Ramona Ave in Salt Lake City for over 50 years and in 2013 moved into the assisted living facility, Legacy House of Taylorsville. She remained at Legacy House until her passing. Her beloved feline companion, Lil’ Beau was also right by her side. The Morley family would like to express our deepest gratitude for the staff at Legacy House who loved her and took wonderful care of her for almost 10 years.

Margaret frequently traveled to Southern and Northern California to see her children and granddaughter. She loved Dove Canyon, Laguna Beach and going to afternoon high tea at The Ritz Carlton.

In 2009, Margaret traveled to Europe with Gary and Kristen. She fell in love with France and Italy and frequently referred to the experience as, “a trip of a lifetime.” She always remembered every detail. She confused and tasked many European waiters in that at virtually every meal she ordered soup and bread and insisted on butter for her bread rather than the customary vinegar and oil. Many waiters had to go on the search for butter. She was hilarious!

Margaret had special and unique relationships with each of her children. She created individual time to play, that was a dedicated hour of her time to that child. Which created lifelong memories and experiences that molded them into the adults they are today. She unselfishly did all she could to make certain they felt loved, secure, happy, and fulfilled.

In her later years both before and after Margaret resided at Legacy House, she was blessed to have Patrice and her husband Randy visit her and take care of her and many of her needs. Patrice visited her every day, sometimes numerous times a day, at home and at Legacy House making sure she was comfortable and tucked in at night. She brought her special meals and treats every day and truly made her as content as possible. Randy emotionally supported Patrice and visited Margaret at home and at Legacy. He took care of many chores and projects at her home, for many years. For his payment, she would cook him all sorts of meals. We are not sure who enjoyed it more, Margaret or Randy. Margaret loved to hear him raving about her food and Randy enjoyed eating it.

Margaret was a fantastic cook. Her specialties were homemade macaroni and cheese, chili, tapioca pudding, popcorn balls, candied yams, meatloaf, quiche, rice pudding, buttery hot cross buns and many more. What was even more special about her was she made the most amazing meals on a lower budget as a single mom. To this day, we still don’t know how she made it all happen.

Margaret chose to be cremated and there will be no formal viewing or service. Margaret’s ashes will be spread at her most loved locations in the world. Margaret was very much loved at her attended church The Cathedral of the Madeline in SLC in which they are dedicating a Mass to Margaret on February 8, 2023, at 5:15 pm.