Evelyn Luke Denton

Evelyn Luke Denton, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 5, 2004 at the Apache Junction Health Center. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and educator for all who were a part of her life. Born December 17, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah, she is survived by her loving husband, Floyd; son, Marcus Denna; Daughter, Clare; five grandsons: Luke, Bryce Diana, Trevor, Christopher, and Gregory Denton; and one great grandson, Zachary. She is also survived by her brother, Henry E. Luke of Salt Lake City. Evelyn was known to many in Mesa as a superb teacher. She was honored publicly and privately many times throughout her life for her excellence as an educator. She received her Bachelors Degree at 20 years old from the University of Utah and began teaching in Utah immediately thereafter. Since coming to Mesa in 1948, she taught at all levels in the Mesa Public School District, spending most of her career in the English Department at Mesa High School. Many of her former students and colleagues remember her with fondness as a teacher and person who made a significant difference in their lives. She was intelligent and sensitive, and valued the continual process of gaining knowledge. She furthered her own education doing graduate study at Brigham Young University and finally receiving a Masters Degree in Education from Arizona State University in 1955. She also had a passion for the fine arts, literature, and the humanities- an interest that she shared with her husband, and cultivated in her children, grandchildren, and students. She was blessed with great musical talent as a singer and pianist, and sang soprano formerly with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She has been active all her life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, fulfilling many special callings in her church. She was also active in community service organizations as a member of the Mesa Desert Club and Mesa Little Theater. She and her husband, Floyd shared their love of music, art, literature, theater, travel and family during their 53 years together. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 from 6-8:00 PM at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N. Macdonald St. in Mesa. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 1:00 PM at the LDS Menlo Park Ward Building, 2618 N. Lindsay Rd. in Mesa with a visitation one hour prior. Graveside services will follow immediately at the City of Mesa Cemetery.