Melva Lynda Gifford

Melva Gifford, 68, of Orem Utah, passed away in her home on January 5, 2025. Melva was born on December 28, 1956, in Cedar City, Utah to Melvin and Ramona Gubler Gifford.

Melva grew up in LaVerkin, Utah, and graduated from Hurricane High School in 1975. She attended Dixie College for two years after high school. While at Dixie College she was involved in the Program Bureau. Melva served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in South Carolina. She also attended BYU. This is where she was really able to feed her passion for writing and her love for science fiction and fantasy. She has wonderful friends from her time at BYU. Melva eventually earned a bachelor's degree from UVU in Orem, Utah.

Melva loved to create and perform as a storyteller. She performed professionally on several occasions and often told her stories at family gatherings and for friends. Melva also had a passion for Star Trek and the Star Wars series and collected memorabilia at conventions and other gatherings she often traveled to. She has many friends with similar passions. Melva worked hard all of her life and supported herself by carefully managing her finances.

She loved having a good-paying job that provided an opportunity to do some traveling with friends and family. She has been to Europe, Yucatan, Hawaii and Alaska. Her favorite was the Mayan Ruins.

Melva was very patriotic. She loved America. Melva also loved to attend the temple and did so as often as time and her health allowed. Melva has been an active and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ throughout her life.

Melva is survived by her sisters Connie Roberts, and Thora Eagar (Kim Eagar), and her twin brother Melvin Gifford (LuAnn Holt Gifford). She has many nieces and nephews who will miss her and her stories.

Funeral for Melva will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Hillcrest 4th Ward located in Orem at 440 East 800 South at 11:00 a.m. 

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.