Flora Fabrizio

1928 - 2025

Flora Essie Lefler Fabrizio

1928 ~ 2025

Flora Essie Lefler Fabrizio (97), our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend passed away on July 3, 2025, after a brief illness.

Flora was born on January 31, 1928, in Tabiona, Utah during the Great Depression and World War II, and like so many other families at the time, Flora's family was hit hard. Her parents divorced when she was ten years old. She and her three younger siblings were basically taken in and cared for by their two grandmothers and father when he wasn't working.

Because Flora was the oldest, she sensed a deep responsibility to care for her three younger siblings, Mart, Ralph, and Tett. She learned domestic duties and skills early under the guidance of her grandmothers, who both lived in Tabiona, Utah.

She attended elementary, junior high, and some of her high school years in Tabiona. However, for a short period of time she also lived with her mother and attended high school in Park City, Utah. Flora loved learning and was a good student. She prided herself on her spelling skills, knowing her times tables, and her cursive handwriting that was beautiful even in her older years. She was chosen to be the drum majorette and marched with the Tabiona band in parades. She twirled a baton with ease.

Flora was just 17 when her world came crashing down on her again. At the young age of 38, her father died suddenly in a truck accident. Flora was heartbroken when she was told the tragic news. Thankfully, her boyfriend, Tom Fabrizio, was with her at the time it all happened. He was a support and comfort to her. With a little prodding from Tom's father, Tom asked Flora to marry him. Some members of Flora's family were a little hesitant about this union since Tom and his family were baptized Catholics, and Flora's family were baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Just two weeks following her father's death, Flora and Tom were married in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 2, 1945, with their mothers as witnesses. Flora dropped out of school but would later receive her GED as an adult. Tom graduated with his class, and shortly thereafter he was drafted into the military. Flora was pregnant and lived with Tom's parents when he went off to boot camp as a US Marine stationed at Treasure Island in San Francisco, California. Flora learned a lot from Tom's parents. After the baby was born in March 1946, Tom was able to return home on furlough for a short break. When it was time to leave again, he took Flora, the new baby, and Flora's sister Tett back to Richmond, California where they lived in the barracks together.

After his military career, they moved the family from California back to Utah. Tom took advantage of the Government Issue (G.I.) Schooling Bill at Henegar's Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. After two years of schooling, they moved to Hanna in 1948 with another baby on the way. They lived in a small house which had been built onto the back of the store that Tom's dad, Charlie, owned, known as Fabrizio & Sons, Mercantile Incorporated. Charlie, Tom, and Tom's brother Neil ran the store until 1959 when Tom bought them out and became the sole owner of the business. Flora with her sister-in-law, Carma, worked part-time in the small café that was part of the store at that time. During their time in Hanna, six more children came into their lives.

Flora took on the role of wife and mother seriously. With her own troubled beginnings, she had a goal in mind to break the cycle of her difficult childhood, and she discussed this with Tom when they were first married. They committed themselves to one another, to their children, and to other extended family members. Flora understood sacrifice, discomfort, going without, hard work, unselfishness, hurt, sorrow, and grieving with others.

After Tom became a member of the LDS church, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on November 1, 1954. The two of them embraced the covenants they had made to one another and to God. She believed deeply in a relationship with her Heavenly Father through personal prayer, and a committed obedience to the teachings of Jesus. Although Flora served in many leadership capacities within the church, she did not need to be told who and how to serve; she took her service obligation personally to ""anyone"" in need. One of the highlights of her life was learning a new language and serving with Tom as an LDS missionary in Milan, Italy. After Tom passed away, she found fulfillment as a Church Building Hostess at Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City. Her example was that of a true Christian, loving and serving without needing reward or recognition.

Flora was a woman of action, never one to leave a job undone. When she began something, she finished it - no matter how long it took. Her unwavering determination was clear to all her descendants, who watched her complete hundreds of puzzles over the years. Even on her final day, she expressed regret-not for anything grand, but simply that she couldn't finish the last puzzle she had started. She worked side by side with Tom in their grocery store business and also at Ogden's Carpet Outlets later in life. She was her best self when she served others. Whether it was weeding or gleaning a garden or preserving and preparing the fruits of her labor, food went in a jar, or on the table, or out the door to someone else. The aromas that came from her oven and stove drew neighbors and customers to her door. ""Waste not, want not"" was her inner driven force. She always had candy and cookies in a jar for her grandchildren because she never wanted anyone to go away hungry. She was recognized by the Salt Lake Tribune as one of the best cooks in the Uintah Basin for her cinnamon rolls, Italian dishes, and basically anything she laid her hands on. The wringer washer, scrub board, clothesline, and ironing board were dedicated to her family's wellbeing and demonstrated her attention to cleanliness, detail, and beauty.

Flora had a keen sense, respect and love for elderly people. She remembered her two grandmothers and Tom's elderly relatives that surrounded her. She willingly and thoughtfully served women and men by providing community get-togethers, like quilting, making Memorial Day paper flowers, cutting and perming hair, cleaning their homes, tending their children, planning and helping with activities. Flora was unselfish and spread her endless energy to all. She was self-motivated, productive, and had incredible stamina. She had a strong will, a quick mind with a sense of humor, and a temper when needed. She kept order in her family's life: three meals a day with treats in between, a clean house and clothes, and many opportunities to grow and progress. She was passionate and honest with a magnetic and enthusiastic personality. Her legacy will never be forgotten!

Flora was preceded in death by her parents Levere J. Lefler, Essie Laraine Gines, her brothers, Mart and Ralph Lefler, her sisters, Yvonne and Billie Jones, her sons-in-law Bart Gines and Steve Ogden, her granddaughters Terra Thomas, Kami Gines, Amy Ogden and other descendants Miley Rhoades and Crew Freestone.

Flora is survived by her sister Tett Hadlock, Layton, UT; her eight children – Toni Ogden, Queen Creek, AZ; Levere (Sue) Sandy, UT; Rosalyn Thomas (Craig) Tabiona, UT; Rick (Betty Jean) Stansbury Park, UT; Rex (Michelle) Eagle Mountain, UT; Annette Gines, St. George, UT; Travis (RaNae) Santa Clara, UT; Deno (Melissa) Draper, UT. In total Flora and Tom's posterity includes 46 grandchildren, 129 great grandchildren, with three on the way, 35 great, great grandchildren, and five on the way-and still growing!

There will be a viewing held at the LDS Meeting House, 8173 South 3200 West, West Jordan, Utah on July 11th from 6-8 pm. We'll be celebrating her life at a funeral service the following day, July 12 at the LDS chapel in Tabiona, Utah at 11:00 am. A viewing will also be held prior to the funeral services from 9:00-10:45 am at the same location. The burial will take place at the Tabiona-Redcliffe Cemetery.