Orell Merryweather Maxwell

1933-2021

Orell Merryweather Maxwell, 88, our dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 from cancer.

She was born in Cedar City, Utah to Bill and Ida Merryweather; the youngest of five sisters. She had a loving home, and always said she had a happy childhood.

While growing up, she studied the piano and violin, and played in the High School and College Orchestras. Music was always a big part of her life. She graduated from Cedar City High School in 1951 and from the Branch Agricultural College with an Associate Degree in 1953.

Orell married James Dean Maxwell in the St. George, Utah Temple on September 10, 1954. They had 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters. After she was married and had moved to Salt Lake City, she played for many years with a string group “The Apron Strings” for weddings, funerals, and sacrament meetings.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Orell served more than 10 years as a cub scout den mother, numerous times as a teacher in primary and Sunday school, as a secretary to 5 Relief Society Presidents and as ward meeting house Librarian. Mom and Dad were able to serve a full-time mission in 2001-2003 to Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving in Chama and loved serving the Lord and the people in New Mexico.

Orell had a gift for compassionate service to neighbors, friends, and family. Some favorite things she loved were reading, dolls, bears, balls, balloons, and the beach!

She is survived by her 7 children: Debi (Ken) Dastrup, Mark (Brenda) Maxwell, Dave Maxwell, Dale (Stacy) Maxwell, Brent (Krissy) Maxwell, Brian Maxwell, Marci (Shawn) Nordhoff. 21 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. A brother-in-law Doug (Sandra) Maxwell and sister-in-law Pat (Laron) Woods.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dean Maxwell, her granddaughter Brandie K Maxwell, a daughter-in-law Laurie Jacobson Maxwell, her parents Bill and Ida Merryweather, her sisters Atha Abel, Afton Edwards, Eva Merryweather, and Lael Dotson.

A special thanks to Dr. Gill, Dr. Grant, and the nurses and caregivers at IHC Hospital and Aspire Home Health and Hospice for their tender care!

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 11:00am in the Hyland Lake Ward, 981 Revere Circle, Murray, Utah with viewings at the church Wednesday, June 9th from 6-8pm and 1 hour prior to funeral services.

Interment will be at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 E. Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights