Helen Wight

1943 - 2022

Helen Clair Rich Wight

1943 ~ 2022

- Helen Claire Rich Wight died peacefully and surrounded by family in her Sandy, Utah home on March 13, 2022. Helen was born May 3, 1943, in Logan, Utah to Don Carlos and Norma Bergsjo Rich. Helen grew up in Portland, Oregon and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961. After high school, Helen attended the University of Portland and then transferred to Brigham Young University where she graduated with a degree in English. While attending BYU, Helen met Robert (Bob) Wight who was the love of her life. Bob and Helen were married on September 2, 1966. They are the proud parents of three daughters and a son.

Once her children were attending school, Helen resumed her teaching career that began at Wasatch High School, in Heber, Utah in 1966. Helen also taught English at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho before teaching English at Indian Hills Middle School in Sandy, Utah for twenty-four years and Corner Canyon High School in Sandy, Utah for six years until her retirement in 2019. Helen loved learning and teaching. She earned a master's degree in Education from Utah State University in 1997 and was one of the first teachers in Utah to earn recognition as a Nationally Board-Certified Educator.

Helen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and she had an unwavering testimony of the gospel. Helen's love of the Lord was evident in her lifelong example of selfless service, devotion, and unconditional love.

Helen was an avid reader and always had a stack of books nearby. She loved the beauty and power contained in the written word. Helen loved reading to her children when they were little and spent countless hours reading to her grandchildren. Helen's favorite hobby, however, was spending time with the people she loved. Helen was a people person. She loved spending time talking to people. Helen foraged new friendships by talking to people while waiting in lines at grocery stores, on the sideline at ball games, on public transit, or anywhere else. Helen had a way of instantly connecting with those she met. Her personality was magnetic and magical. She had a true gift for making those she encountered feel loved and special.

Helen's biggest passion was her family. As much as Helen loved her friends and those she met, she loved Bob and her family more. Helen loved her four children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren fiercely and unconditionally. She has always been their biggest supporter and fan. She spent an unmeasurable amount of time attending various sporting events, dance recitals, choir concerts, art shows, music recitals, and other competitions. She rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on one of her kids or grandchildren even if that meant sitting through a blizzard or the blistering heat. We will all miss having Grandma Lenny there to cheer us on.

Helen is survived by Robert Wight, her husband of 55 years, her daughters: Jennifer (Bruce) Tucker, Erica (John) Ragsdale, and Andrea (Doug) Sundahl, her son: Michael (Melinda) Wight, Grandchildren: Lauren (Matt) Griner, Coulson Tucker, Cameron Tucker, Chase Tucker, Luke Tucker, Logan Tucker, Maddison Sundahl and Elizabeth Sundahl, Great Grandchildren: Bowdy Griner, Reese Griner, and Cal Griner. Sisters: Nancy Witt and Roxane Rodela. Helen was preceded in death by her parents: Don Carlos Rich and Norma Amelia Rich and older brother: Dean Charles Rich.

Helen's memorial service will be Saturday, April 9th at 10:00 am at the Hidden Oaks Ward building located at 1905 Quail Crossing Lane in Sandy, Utah. She will be buried at the Highland City Cemetery following the memorial service.

A go-fund me account has been set up for a memorial gift in Helen's name to benefit the Salt Lake County Public Library. Donations can be made at: https://gofund.me/6c295b67.