Wendy Dean Murdock Shurtliff 1956 ~ 2006

But FIRST the music!

Our source of joy, Wendy, was abruptly taken from us Saturday morning, November 4th, 2006 at the vibrant age of 50, the result of a stroke. She was born February 2, 1956 in American Fork, Utah to Ramon Dayel and Kenna White Dean. She married David Shurtliff on August 21st, 1996 accompanied by seven beautiful children from a previous marriage. Later, they were joined by their baby Dane. Wendy, the children and David enjoyed 10 wonderful, but all-to-short years together as a family.

She graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville where she was a studentbody officer, and attended BYU in Provo. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions. For a short time she was a receptionist at the Jordan River Temple, but will be best remembered as the ward organist for the past five years. Wendy was blessed with incredible gifts and talents.

She is the composer, writer, performer and, with her children, one of the singers of "I've Got Joy" and most of the other Joy School songs. Wendy's music creations have touched literally tens of thousands.

She created fabulous dance recital and ballet videos that are now cherished memories for the young dancers and their families. With seemingly no premonition of her life being cut short, she was passionate in documenting and preserving hundreds of hours of cherished and every-day family memories on video and photo. Our only regret ... she was on the wrong side of the camera.

Wendy was beautiful in person and in spirit. Wendy and the family loved to go caroling during the Christmas season, calling on friends, neighbors and oft-times would just stop and knock where they saw a party going on at an unsuspecting but delighted stranger's house.

Wendy dearly loved her family. Children will always remember the joy and influence of "gathering time" and the fun and excitement of "Wendigos". As great and far-reaching as her accomplishments were, she never came near to the end of what she called her "eternal list".Wendy, the void left in our lives is almost too much to bear, but we will carry on for you. Joining you again someday will be at the top of our (different kind of) "eternal list". We love you!

She is survived by her husband David Vern Shurtliff; children, Melissa Murdock, Annie Murdock, Matthew Murdock, Kizzi Murdock, Christian Murdock, Dane Shurtliff all of Draper, UT; Scott (Liesl) Shurtliff, Chicago, IL; Megan (Matt) Halversen, Sandy, UT; Katie Murdock, Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Jessenia, Tyler, and Whitney;

her mother, Kenna Dean, Farmington, UT; sisters, Melanie Dean, Salt Lake City, UT; Rebecca (Monte) Langford, Oregon City, OR; Michelle (John) Jackman, Salt Lake City, UT; Tami (Linn) Griffith, Centerville, UT; Heidi (Lamont) Wilcox, Kaysville, UT; Jana (Bruce) McVay, Harrison, AR; brother, Lon Dean, Seal Beach, CA. She was preceded in death by her father, Ramon and brother, Dayel.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 10, 2006, 12:00 noon at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. 10600 So., Sandy, UT. A Viewing will be held Thursday, November 9th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery. Please send thoughts, memories and condolences to wendysfamily@gmail.com.