Ellena Murray Sutton

12/2/1916 - 4/21/2013
Salt Lake City, Utah-Ellie died peacefully in her home at the age of 96. Ellie did the crossword daily, watched every NFL and NBA game that was playing, knew each of the players by name and where they went to college before they made the teams. If there was no football or basketball playing, she would shift to baseball, golf or tennis. Ellie cooked, cleaned, washed, ironed and did the gardening until she was 95. Ellie wrote weekly letters to her family in Australia from 1945 until only a few months ago when it was no longer possible for her to do so. The kids and grandkids felt that she was a stellar example of how to live your life. "Gramma Ellie" was born in the outback of Australia in Burketown on a cattle station called "Yarrum", owned and operated by her Mom and Dad, Reginald & Margaret Mary Murray. She had fond memories of her life in the outback even though it lacked electricity, running water or any of the amenities others enjoyed.
Ellie was one of eight children; Reginald Jr., Yvonne, Dorothy, Margaret, George, Jean & Jacqeline. The family moved to Townsville, Queensland, Australia in 1936 and opened and operated the Austral Café. Her sisters were the waitresses and she was the chef. She worked for 9 years in the café. She met her husband, Sgt. Sherman L. Sutton in the café. He was stationed at the Finance Division of the US Armed Forces in Townsville. They married in Sydney, Australia on June 24, 1944. Sherman got orders to leave Australia so Ellie left Australia bound for San Francisco. Ellie went to Logan Utah where Sherman's family lived and had her first child, Margaret Ann in 1945. They were then sent to St. Louis, Mo. where her son, John Thomas was born in 1947. Orders sent them to Germany where they lived for several years and their daughter, Barbara Gayle was born in 1956. When the tour of duty in Germany was complete they came back to the US and settled in Denver, Colorado; finally owning their own home after years of constantly moving. Sherman died on October 8, 1974. At the age of 84 she sold her home and moved to Salt Lake City to live with her daughter, Margaret Ann.
Ellie is survived by her sisters, Dorothy Williams and Jean Heath of Australia. Children; Margaret Parrish, Barbara Sutton and John and Sharon Sutton , 8 Grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. A special "thanks" to Veronica Naciamento, Simone De Souza, and Dr. Carol Osborn who lovingly cared for Ellie the last year of her life. She was comforted by Byron and Deborah Barkley, Jessica Barkley, Ashley Barkley and Paul Strahura at time of death. Per her request she will be cremated and buried in the Fort Logan Cemetery with her husband, Sherman Sutton. Online condolences may be made to www.wasatchlawn.com