Mercedes Celia Trujillo Harding

Love is the defining and all-encompassing word that epitomizes the life of our dear wife and mother Mercedes Trujillo Harding. This gift of love defined her life:  love for God, love for service, love for her sweetheart and husband Bob, love for family, and love for music.

Love for God - Throughout Mercedes’ entire life she was devoted to her Father in Heaven, her Savior Jesus Christ and His Restored Gospel.  This love of God was instilled in Mercedes since her birth to Federico and Simonita Trujillo in Manassa, Colorado, where she spent her early childhood days. It was a small farming community and her parents worked hard to provide both physically and spiritually for their family. Her parents and grandparents’ faithful example laid the foundation for her spiritual growth.  Mercedes spent her remaining childhood living in Layton, Utah, as her father worked at Hill Air Force Base. Her love for Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ deepened and was the central part of her youth and “growing up” years as she graduated from Davis High School and later attended Weber State University.

Love for Service - As a child, Mercedes had a special bond with the missionaries who served in the Spanish American Mission in the Manassa area, and the desire was planted in her heart early to one day serve God on a mission of her own. That desire became a reality when young Mercedes was called to the Central American Mission (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica) and faithfully served for 2 years (1953-55). Mercedes’ incredible devotion and love for serving would continue to encompass and define her life. She would later serve alongside her husband when he was called to serve as Mission President with their family in the Colombia Cali Mission (1978-81), as a Senior Missionary couple in the Spain Bilbao Mission (2001-02), and as Assistant Temple Matron while her husband served in the Madrid Temple Presidency (2004-05).  Mercedes and Bob also served a Welfare Service Mission together at the Spanish Fork Employment Center (2003-04) and as a missionary couple in the Spring Creek 19th Spanish Branch (2008-09).  Mercedes truly cherished the opportunity to serve with such faithful and dear friends as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Primary and Relief Society Boards (1981-97).  Wherever she was called to serve she did so with all her heart.  Most of all, she simply showed love for others through the daily service and support for her husband and family and ongoing service in the Church and neighborhoods wherever she lived. 

Love for Robert Alfred Harding - Mercedes was serving as a Young Women Gleaner Leader in the Salt Lake City Bonneville Stake 33rd Ward during the spring of 1959.  While chaperoning at a youth conference Mercedes noticed a handsome newly returned missionary who sat down in an empty chair next to her.  A conversation ensued and before the evening was over, Bob offered to give Mercedes a ride home. She declined this first invitation but accepted his offer the following evening.  This was the beginning of their lifelong journey and love story.  Bob and Mercedes were married December 18, 1959, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they had a true partnership in all aspects of their lives from creating a home and rearing a family, to serving together in church callings, to traveling throughout the Mountain West and the world.  He was the love of her life.  Mercedes ‘marveled at Bob’s unfailing love, devotion, and commitment to her’. 

Love for Family - All of Mercedes’ loves combined and were manifested and deeply felt by her family who were so dear and precious to her.  Mercedes was a constant, positive voice of encouragement and wisdom for each of her family members and her loving influence will be felt for generations.  The spiritual growth of her posterity was her highest priority.  Her greatest desire was for them to know that they were each beloved sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would bring them strength, joy, and peace in their lives.  Mercedes loved one-on-one time with each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and she made great effort to stay connected with each one.  No one remained a stranger in Mercedes and Bob’s home - all were welcome and had a place with them in their family.  Traditions were important to Mercedes.  Anne of Green Gables was a favorite annual movie night with the grand-daughters and good-byes were never a rushed event as no one could leave a family gathering without receiving several hugs and kisses from all present.

Love for Music - Mercedes always had a song in her heart and musical lyrics flowed easily from her lips.  She had a beautiful voice.  As a young mother, she joined and loved being a member of a double quartet and in later years participated in many choirs.  One of Mercedes’ greatest joys was having her family sing together.  It didn’t matter if they were in the car on a road trip, sitting around a campfire, or gathered at home.  Mercedes cherished the unity that music brought to the family. As the family expanded, Mercedes especially loved the annual tradition of singing Christmas carols together until all voices were hoarse.  Broadway musicals were a favorite; however, Mercedes had a special feeling for the hymns and Primary songs of the Church.  This sacred music gave her strength and peace throughout her life. She freely shared her love for the Savior and her testimony of the Gospel through this sacred music with not only her family but with all those who crossed her path.  Even though she was unable to communicate clearly at the end of her life, the gift of music and song was not lost and she was able to still sing of her love for God and family. 

Mercedes was preceded in death by her parents Federico and Simonita Trujillo, her sisters Emeline Picht and Eloise Bean, and two grandchildren Sadie Danielle Wells and Christopher Chad Rowley.  She is survived by her sisters Margaret Schofield and Irene Francis, her brothers Sam Trujillo and Fred Trujillo, and by her husband Robert Alfred Harding and their children Lisa Rowley (Chad), Marci Paul (David), Susan Anderson (David), Pamela Wells (Lee) and Paul Robert Harding (Tiffanie).  Mercedes and Bob’s legacy includes 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Mercedes and Bob’s unwavering love and devotion have been an inspiration and guiding light to all of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Mercedes will be dearly missed, however, she will always be with us as we have deeply felt and will remember her love for God, for service, for her dear husband Bob, for her family, and for music.
     
The Harding Family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for their friends, members and leaders of the Mapleton 1st Ward, especially her ministering “Sisters in Zion”, the devoted health professionals of Home Instead Healthcare, Dignity Home Health & Hospice, and Ashford Assisted Living & Memory Care, Grasslands 5th Branch.

Family and Friends are invited to join the Harding Family for Mercedes’ Memorial Service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mapleton 1st Ward (825 East Hawks Rest Drive, Mapleton, Utah 84664) to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024.  A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Primary Children’s Hospital.

For those unable to join us in person, you may view the Services via YouTube on Monday, January 22nd beginning at 11:00 am at the following link:   https://youtube.com/live/hJ1NQhUAO0w

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.