IRIS TOLLEY

IRIS TOLLEY obituary, Nephi, UT

IRIS TOLLEY

IRIS TOLLEY Obituary

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Iris Phillips Tolley 1942 ~ 2010 Our mom, Iris, lost her life to breast cancer, the toughest marathon she would ever run, on February 27, 2010 at home with her family and her faithful animals.Mom was born on May 20, 1942 to James and Vilda Phillips in Nephi, Utah. She married Roy Tolley and they were later divorced. Mom was an inspiration to all who had the opportunity to know her. She grew up in Nephi graduating from Juab High School. Mom's determination brought her many firsts in life. She graduated from UVSC as a Journeyman Diesel Mechanic. She was awarded the Bronze Minuteman award which is Utah National Guard's highest award for leadership and public service. She was one of six women to run a marathon on all seven Continents, after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She was honored to carry the Olympic Torch in February 2002. She was an avid athlete running over 50 marathons and numerous triathlons. She participated in the Huntsman Senior Games for 15 years. Mom worked at Cummins Intermountain Diesel in Salt Lake City, later retiring from Intermountain Power Service, Delta, Utah as a maintenance planner. She also retired from the Utah National Guard 115th Maintenance Unit with 30 years of service to her country. She worked actively with the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She was a lobbyist and motivational speaker dedicated to find a cure for breast cancer. She worked at Heindselmans Knit Shop as a hobby. She lived life to the fullest every minute. She enjoyed spending time with her family and supporting her grandchildren in their own accomplishments. Mom was an avid photographer, winning many awards with her pictures, having some published nationally. She is survived by her daughters Gina (Nate) Taylor of Santaquin, Selena (Kenyon) Carter of Nephi, her grandchildren Dusty, Meagan (Nick), Bodie, Travis, Myranda, Zack and Sadie, her brother George (Judy Ann) Phillips of Nephi, her sisters Pat (Sherm) Zeeman of Payson, Dana (Val) Kelson of Nephi and her faithful dog Hannah and cat Marge who were there at her side until the time of her death. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at the Nephi 2nd Ward, 222 South 100 East. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, 94 West 300 North and at the church from 10-11:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Nephi Vine Bluff Cemetery with full military rights. We would like to thank Huntsman Cancer Institute for their great care mom received and to her special friend and doctor, Dr. Sandra Buys. Also thank you to Dr. Grant Rasmussen, and her many friends and family who helped her through her courageous battle.

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September 22, 2011

annomous posted to the memorial.

April 1, 2010

Michelle Thornell posted to the memorial.

March 29, 2010

Someone posted to the memorial.

annomous

September 22, 2011

Miss and love you=] Thank you for loving me for me always...Thank you for beleiving in me and for all you did for me. I miss you so much and i never realised how much you really did for me until you passed on.. Im so blessed to of gotten to know you and all you family. i love you so much.

Michelle Thornell

April 1, 2010

Iris was my friend, mentor and second Mom, "Ma". As a fellow female Soldier, Iris taught me how to survive in a male dominated organization. She shared her experiences and expertise with me and mentored me in my Army career. Iris was a great example of an Army Officer and I am proud to have served with her! I had the privilege of traveling to Germany, France and Prague with Iris and those wonderful memories fill my heart with happiness. My life was truly blessed by her presence! Iris always made me laugh until my stomach hurt. Her sense of humor was unique, just as she was. Iris loved life and lived it to the fullest. Let's honor her by doing the same! Iris was truly one of the toughest women I have ever known. In spite of having a drain tube in, Iris scored a perfect 300 on her Army Physical Fitness Test. She was a true fighter and set the example for other women facing cancer!
Gina and Selena, you both meant the world to your Mom! She was so proud of you both and she beamed when speaking of you. May the special memories you have of your Mom continue to surround and comfort you. May God bless you always! Your friend,

March 29, 2010

What a sadder place the world is without Iris. She was a true inspiration to all who knew her. What an incredible, accomplished lady. We will truely miss her friendship, the stories about her life and the memories at Camp Pendleton when she competed in the Mud Run. She will always be with us in SPIRIT. May the Lord grant you all peace in your time of need and cradle you in his loving hands to comfort you in your time of sorrow. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. God Bless...
With love,
Spencer & Lori Conklin
San Diego, California
I am running in the MCRD Boot Camp Challenge in Iris's memory. I know she would of loved this race....

Lisa Schneider

March 8, 2010

I was truly sorry to hear of Iris' passing. I had the honor and privilege of getting to know Iris through a variety of Susan G. Komen for the Cure events. I have great memories of her at a snowshoe event a couple of years ago in which she was doggedly determined to complete the 5K course even though there was a 3K option. She even managed to run for a ways to check off one of her "Bucket List" items since her doctors had advised her not to run again.

It was that kind of spirit and focus that made her so special and such an inspiration to others. Her legacy will live on for others as a source of courage and hope.

LynNae Evans

March 4, 2010

This is truly the end of an era. She will be missed. May God be with you in your time of sorrow.

John Crosby

March 3, 2010

My condolences too Iris's family. She was a great gal that I'm very proud to call my friend. Rest well Iris.

Sandy Leon

March 3, 2010

Iris's family,
I met Iris at the cancer events, she was so amazing. She sure gave us all hope and courage with all she had been through in her life. I will forever remember her strength, she helped me to believe in life. I am going on my fifth year as a breast cancer survivor. I look for her at all the events and when I find her she gives me her warm hugs.
She is going to be greatly missed.

Sandy.

Dale & Deila Bond

March 3, 2010

To the Family of Iris,
May God bliss you at this time,
Iris was a fighter, and made me a fighter with my cancer and said don't give up. She was a good friend at work at IPSC and alot of fun.
She will be missed and the pain is over. And may God have a place for her to run and run she loved it.

March 3, 2010

Iris,
I will miss you so much, your are such a beautiful woman. You and I had so much fun and shared ours heart breaks. Thank you for being my friend.
love you and i will remember what you told me.
Gina and Selena i feel sad for you, but now she is in no more pain. She will always be in your heart.


Floy Thompson
West Jordan Ut

Donna Ingram Fowkes

March 2, 2010

What a great lady. Not only did Iris accomplish so many things, she took the time to patiently teach others. I am sorry for the deep pain of her passing, but what a joy to have had her for a mom, grandma, sister and friend.

Charlyce and Don Fowkes

March 2, 2010

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We have happy memories of the time we spent as friends in High School Our thought are with you at this difficult time.

Mindy Turpin

March 2, 2010

I an so sorry to hear of this news. Iris was and inspriation to anyone that had the honor and privilidge of knowing Iris. She was a champion to all that knew her. Iris was a blessing in my life and I will always remember her.

Judy

March 2, 2010

Someone so loved will always be remembered.

John Taylor

March 2, 2010

My condolences to the family. Might I share a small experience that I had with Iris.One morning as I got to school (Iwas the Principal of Jordan Technical Center in Sandy) a lady was waiting for me and introduced herself as my substitute teacher for the Diesel Mechanics class. She introduced herself and with her married name being Tolley I asked if she was from Nephi. She answered and I said, "me too". Well the conversation made her late to class but I learned so much about her struggle with cancer and what she was doing about it including her scares (yes, I blushed). What a great example to us all for her determination not to let cancer stop her quest for life. May the Lord bless each of the family at this time.

John Taylor

March 2, 2010

I am your mother's cousin, Liz ( Park) Seat. Your mother and I went to high school together in Nephi. I am deeply sorry to hear of Iris's passing. She was a very strong person and accomplished a great deal in her lifetime. You should be very proud of your mother and grandmother.

With deepest sympathy

Elizabeth Park Seat

March 2, 2010

I read of Iris' passing with deep sorry, having spent considerable time with Iris during her years of lobbying in behalf of the American Cancer Society. We have visited members of Congress together and have tried to make impassioned pleas for more research and better options for those who suffer from cancer. Iris is a warrior and influenced many people in positive ways.

May you find peace in knowing that Iris lived well and that she accomplished much in her lifetime. My life has been blessed as a result of our association, and I will always remember the charge she gave to a small group of us not long ago when she, contemplating her death, pled with us to continue the fight. May God's choicest blessings be with you all!

Neal L. Cox
1914 California Ave.
Provo, UT 84606

DeLoy Bisel Jr.

March 2, 2010

I just want to express my deepest appreciation to all of the family for letting me share a little piece of Iris. Although my association was fairly small, I always came away after my short visits feeling like I was a better person. This was due to the great uplifting spirit Iris passed on to those she came in contact with. May her spirit always reside with all of us and especially her family. I love and appreciate all of you.

DeLoy and Trudy Bisel Jr.

K LL

March 2, 2010

Another beautiful Lady taken way too soon from this mean, awful, insidious disease. You and I are a sister in this fight and I will continue to fight the fight as long as the Dear Lord allows me the privlege of being on this earth. All of us who have faced this disease in one way or another are sisters in arms. We have to continue to fight for those who have gone before us. So although you don't know me, I feel as if I know you and it has been a privlege. Rest in peace sweet sister and know that the fight continues. Something more has got to be done.

March 2, 2010

I became friends with your mom through Heindselmans - where I would go just to see her! She was an amazing person who embodied the spirit of drive and motivation and kindness and goodness. I introduced her to another friend who had cancer and she "ran" for her in the annual Susan Komen race. I loved her spunk and her attitude about life - she had a distinctive look with her "cancer haircut" and her jewelry. I liked her style in every way. I changed jobs 2 and half years ago and no longer got to see Iris as much as I use to but the last time I did see her she told me how she was battling cancer again. She was not one to let something like cancer just take over - she gave 110%. I will miss everything about her - and am grateful I got a chance to catch some of her spirit. When i do something hard that requires alot of drive and determination I will consider that I did an "iris" and thank her for her example.
Mary DeLaMare-Schaefer

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Anderson Funeral Home - Nephi

94 West 300 North, Nephi, UT 84648

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September 22, 2011

annomous posted to the memorial.

April 1, 2010

Michelle Thornell posted to the memorial.

March 29, 2010

Someone posted to the memorial.