Sally Dee Winget Miller Hodel, 87, passed away in her home in Salt Lake City, Feb. 3, 2023.
Sally was born March 23, 1935, in Salt Lake City to DC and Virginia Isbell Winget. She grew up on her beloved family farm in Monroe. As a child, she enjoyed farm life with her parents, her dog, Bomber, and her horse, Lady. In 1948, Sally’s father was killed in a tragic plane crash. In 1951, Sally’s mother married Leland C. Henrie, who had two boys, Mike and Danny. The family lived in Richfield. Sally attended school at Richfield High School, where she excelled academically and was a cheerleader. She and her friends formed their “Solar Sister” group in which Sally was the “Sun.” They kept in close contact throughout the years. Sally went on to attend the University of Utah in pre-law. She married Merrill Edward Nielsen in the Salt Lake City temple in 1953 and they welcomed a son Jeffery a year later. The couple divorced and Sally married J. Gordon Hatch in 1956. They welcomed a daughter, Jennifer, to the family in 1957, but later divorced. Sally met a traveling accountant Richard (Dick) Miller from rural Oklahoma, and they were married a short time later and moved to Murray. In 1970 they welcomed the youngest daughter, Tiffany De. Sally and Dick divorced and Sally met Merle Alvon Hodel, a commercial airline pilot. She and Merle traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Sally was an accomplished realtor for many decades and loved finding her clients their starter home, their dream home and everything in-between. She enjoyed a full social life and was involved in many organizations including Women in Business, Soroptimist International of Bountiful/Davis, Utah Theatre Guild, The Tanner Crescendo Societies benefitting the Utah Symphony Orchestra and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She looked forward to hosting family parties at her beautiful home and holiday events at Oakridge Country Club when everyone could be together. She loved playing the piano and could play almost any song from ear. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent many years in the Bountiful 8th ward and served in various positions.
She loved her many pets throughout the years, including her Bipsey and Whispey who were always by her side, and in her later years loved her “granddogs” and “grandcats.”
But above all, Sally’s family came first. She would often say, “I’ve always loved you and I always will.” Sally was the matriarch of the family and the glue that bound everyone together. One of her greatest qualities was that she made everyone feel special. She took time for each family member individually.
She is survived by her husband, Merle; children, Jeffrey and Susan Miller, Paul and Jennifer Miller Merrill, and Tiffany Miller Gulden and John Parks; grandchildren, Justin Miller, Jeremy and Megan Miller, Ashley Merrill, Cody and Jenna Merrill, and Jill Miller and Jeff Leighton; great-grandchildren, Cadence and Conor Merill, Cocoa and Roux Miller, and Indie and Lennon Leighton; step-children, Martin and Kristyna Hodel and Michelle and Brian Eppley; step-grandchildren, Brooke, Daniel and Nathan Eppley, and Shay Hodel; and ex-husband, Richard A. Miller and Yvonne Miller.
Sally was preceded in death by parents, DC and Virginia Isbell; stepfather, Lee Henrie; stepbrothers, Mike and Dannie Henrie; and grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Services were held Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary.
We love you forever and can’t wait until we meet again.