Leah Scoresby Thacker

Leah Scoresby Thacker, 84, passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at her home in Sun Lakes, Ariz., just 30 days after the passing of her husband, Harry. They had been married 64 years. Leah was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. With patience, she battled a recurrence of that cancer for the past six years.

Leah, the third child of Clifford and Johanna "Josie" Scoresby, was born in Idaho Falls and grew up in Iona. She had a happy childhood.

After graduating from Iona High School, she attended Brigham Young University, where she met her husband, Harry Thacker, from Castle Gate, Utah. They were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They lived in Richland, Wash., for 10 years before moving to Phoenix in 1964, and finally to Sun Lakes in 2006.

Leah was a devoted member of the LDS church and served in numerous ward and stake callings, in all the church auxiliaries and as a temple worker in the Mesa Temple.

She was a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix for many years, but her real joy was being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The desire for her children to be college educated was realized when each of her seven children graduated from BYU. She helped support five of her children on LDS missions.

Leah was known for her infectious laugh, her delicious cooking and baking, her unwavering faith, her constant service and her remarkable ability to be happy and meet life's challenges without complaint. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her grandchildren will miss playing games with her.

Special thanks to her oncologist, Dr. Robin Obenchain, MD, and Americare Hospice for excellent and compassionate care.

She is survived by her children, Lawana (Don) Stoker of Mesa, Ariz., Brenda (Gary) Mumford of North Salt Lake City, Alan (Jill) Thacker of Covington, Wash., Edwena Thacker of Sun Lakes, Ariz., Mark (Kristin) Thacker of Aurora, Colo., Jay (Julie) Thacker of Johns Creek, Ga., and Diane (Todd) Baker of Johns Creek, Ga; 22 grandchildren and 12 spouses; 29 great-grandchildren; sisters, Fern Benson, Mary Lou Rindlisbacher and Marilyn Sargent; and brothers Fred, Harold and John Scoresby.

She was preceded in death by brothers, Delbert, C. William "Bill" and Charles Scoresby.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Pleasant Second Ward Chapel, 800 W. Chandler Heights Blvd. in Chandler, Ariz. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix.