Norma Worthington

Norma Dawn Worthington passed away peacefully in her home on October 27, 2022, surrounded in love by her family and a magnificent sunset. She was born September 17, 1941, in Payson, Utah to Jesse Welcome Livingston and Zada Mae Draper Livingston. She grew up in Genola, Utah as the fifth daughter in a family of six girls and one boy who died in infancy.

Norma was a self-described tomboy in her early years. You could find her up in the trees, climbing a haystack, or walking on the highest corral railings. She was a cheerleader at Payson High School, which began her lifetime of cheering people on. She cheered especially hard for the quarterback of the football team, whom she later married. She graduated from Payson High School in 1959. She then attended LDS Business College in SLC and graduated in 1960.

Norma married J. Karl Worthington on June 29, 1961, in the Salt Lake Temple. They share the same birthday (one year apart), a love of the gospel, the Utah Jazz, and their five children: 2 sons and 3 daughters.

Norma served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including many years in the primary organization. She served as 2nd counselor in the Primary presidency five times, and numerous times as a primary teacher. She truly loved serving as a pianist over the years, both in primary and relief society. She especially loved playing the church hymns which she said allowed her to express the feelings of her heart. With her husband, she served a church service mission in the Church History Library in SLC. They also served as Sunday school teachers in the women's section of the Utah State Prison.

Norma had a green thumb and loved taking care of her beautiful flower gardens. She loved walking through the garden with her children and grandchildren and pointing out each flower, especially the tiniest ones. She would say, "Look at that one. It's trying so hard." She saw beauty in everything and everyone around her. She was awed by the beauty of God's creations. She loved reading, drawing, cross-stitching, crocheting, attending church, and institute class.

If you knew Norma, you loved Norma. She had the sweetest, most gentle, selfless spirit, and also a very fun-loving nature. Her laugh was infectious. She was our sunshine. Norma's greatest joy in life was her family. In every possible way that she could, she gave love, support, comfort and encouragement to her children and grandchildren. Her family always wondered how such a huge heart could fit in such a tiny body. Her love for her family was only surpassed by her love for her Savior and the gospel. She was a woman of great faith.

Her legacy of Christ-like love and service will live on forever through the countless beautiful memories she left with all of us.

Norma thought of this life as a school, with many lessons to learn through many different classes. She has now graduated with the highest of honors and is receiving the promised blessings of living such an exemplary life.

Norma is survived by her husband of 61 years, J. Karl, and her five children; Scott (Christine) Worthington, Orem, UT; Stephanie Carter (Roger), Washington, UT; McKay Worthington, Chandler, AZ; Lauren Albrecht (Shane), Hurricane, UT; Emily Simmons (Dan), Rocklin, CA; sister Nancy Allan, Springville, UT; 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters: Murvel Davis, Gayle Wheeler, Gwen Cloward and Carolyn Stewart, and infant brother Scott Livingston.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 11:00 am in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1136 West 700 South, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062. A private family viewing will be held. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the services HERE