Shirley Monson Moody

1928 - 2025

Shirley Wanda Pehrson Monson Moody, beloved mother, grandmother, faithful disciple, and quiet miracle-worker, slipped peacefully into the arms of her Savior on December 5, 2025, in Elko, Nevada, surrounded by the family she cherished with every beat of her generous heart. At ninety-seven and a half years, she simply closed her eyes here and opened them in heaven, still smiling that gentle, knowing smile with a twinkle in her eye that had steadied generations.

Born April 24, 1928, in the high mountain air of Park City, Utah, to Margaret M. Duke and Gustav A. Pehrson, Shirley arrived as the third bright star in a constellation of siblings: Jean, Marjorie, and later Robert. Tragedy touched her childhood early when her mother passed away when Shirley was only three and a half. For two tender years she and her siblings found refuge with loving grandparents until their father married Elsie A. Rueckert, and three more cherished sisters were born into the family-Julie, Kay, and Evelyn. The growing family settled in Chewelah, Washington, where Shirley blossomed into a young woman of quiet strength and homegrown talents.

Her skilled hands soon found purpose in the healing arts, working in laboratory and X-ray departments at St. Lukes Hospital in Spokane, Washington, at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, and later at the Elko Clinic-careers that spanned decades and reflected her lifelong instinct to mend, to comfort, to heal.

On July 3, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Shirley married her eternal companion, Verdun H. Monson. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Jordan River Temple, sealing a partnership of love, laughter, and tireless labor. Together they welcomed eight precious children into their hearts and home. In 1964, the family pioneered a new chapter in Elko, Nevada, opening Monson Jewelry, where Shirley's meticulous bookkeeping kept the books balanced. She often surprised the employees with scrumptious buffets during the busy holiday season. After retiring in 1990, they became joyful snowbirds in Apache Junction, Arizona, savoring freedom and family. Verdun was called home in 1994, leaving a void only heaven could fill.

In 1996 Shirley's heart found new companionship when she married Carl J. Moody. Together they traveled America's highways and backroads, camped beneath star-strewn skies, and served a cherished mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Mormon Handcart Historic Site in Alcova, Wyoming-a sacred assignment made sweeter because Shirley's own pioneer ancestors had suffered and survived the tragic winter of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies. There, among the wind-swept sagebrush, she bore living witness to the faith that had carried her forebears and now carried her.

Shirley's life was a living sermon. She magnified every calling-Sunday School, Relief Society, Primary-with devotion and delight. But her truest ministry happened outside church walls: in kitchens filled with fragrant bread for a grieving neighbor, at sewing machines stitching humanitarian quilts into her nineties, in gardens bursting with roses, raspberries, and love. She catered many weddings, funerals, baby and bridal showers, and always made sure everyone was well-fed. Her award-winning jams and jellies were legendary, her cinnamon rolls and potato salad delectable, her wedding quilts masterpieces of memory and thread, each one a tangible testimony that she had noticed, she had cared, she had loved.

Shirley is survived by her children: Verdene Alcorn (Vyrl, deceased), Dale (Pam), Paul, Valerie Beck (Larry), Sharon Byram, Bill (Susan), Barbara Hasting (Steve), and bonus daughter Marleen Evans (Jim); sister Evelyn McCain (Gary); 22 grandchildren; and 48 great-grandchildren who will forever rise up and call her blessed.

She was preceded in death by her son Kent J. Monson (Kathy); infant daughter Christine; son-in-law Vyrl Alcorn; two infant grandchildren; sisters Marjorie Giles, Jean Hermansen, Kay Hinds, Julia Pottratz; brother Robert Pehrson; infant brother Gustav L. Pehrson; her eternal companion Verdun H. Monson; her beloved husband Carl J. Moody; and dear parents.

Funeral services celebrating Shirley's extraordinary life will be held Friday, December 12, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 3001 Fifth Street, Elko, Nevada. A viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Shirley the way she lived-by baking a loaf of bread for someone lonely, tying a quilt for a stranger, or planting a rose in her memory.

Shirley's family offers heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful angels from Genesis Home Health and Hospice. Their service over the past 2+ years was invaluable.

Shirley has not truly left us. She has simply stepped through the veil, arms full of quilts, jam and cinnamon rolls, ready to welcome the next weary traveler home. The world is softer, sweeter, and infinitely more beautiful because she was here.

Rest gently, dear Shirley. Dance with Verdun again. Hug Kent and Carl and all those waiting babies. We will love you forever and find you in every rose that blooms.