St. George, Utah - Our loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Winona Merrell Wonnacott, passed peacefully from this life on August 29, 2011 at the age of 86. She was born on March 28, 1925 in Merrellville, just outside of Vernal, UT (now known as Naples, UT) to William Porter and Mary S. Lybbert Merrell. She was the youngest of twelve children and the last to return to that eternal family.

Mom spent her early years in the Uintah Basin, moving to Salt Lake City when she reached high school age. She married Charles William Wonnacott in the Salt Lake Temple on Sept. 15, 1944. Shortly after Dad returned from the war they moved to Provo, UT where they lived until moving to St. George in June of 1963.

Mom was a marvelous seamstress, cook, and hostess. She sewed all her children's clothes as they grew up, as well as sewing her own clothing up until her later years. She was also amazing at re-upholstering, making many old things look new. She was the pastry chef at Andelin's Gable House restaurant for many years and then did the same at the Green Gate Village. She loved to entertain friends and family (and anyone in need). Her home was always open to anyone needing a meal or someplace to sleep. She was very artistic and clever at decorating. She loved flowers and green things and could be seen working in her yard almost any day. Her greatest frustration was trying to keep her beautiful flowers and plants alive and green in the hot St. George summers.

Mom had a strong, unwavering testimony of our Savior and His love for us and was a very faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many ward and stake callings throughout her life. She and Dad served a mission together in Manchester, England in 1990-92. They were ordinance workers in the St. George Temple for ten years.

Mom is survived by our dad, her husband of nearly 67 years, and her 8 children, Dr. David (Debbie) Wonnacott of Boston, MA; Leslie Carter of Kula, HI; Linda (Laron) Hall of Hurricane, UT; Shellie (Stephen) Mattinson of Washington, UT; CharLee (David) Wecker of Kihei, HI; Laurie (Craig) Sullivan of Leeds, UT; Dr. Mark (Diane) Wonnacott of Ridgecrest, CA; and Lt. Col. Matthew (Holly) Wonnacott M.D. of Spangdahlem, Germany (currently serving in Afghanistan); 56 grandchildren and 69 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter, one grandson, and one great-grandson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. George LDS Stake Center, 591 West 500 North, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment will follow at the Tonaquint Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221