Luella Finlinson
Being the youngest child, Luella became familiar with serving the community by following the example her mother, Rena D. Wheeler who was one of the three founding women of the Cottonwood Maternity Hospital located in Murray, Utah. Rena Wheeler, Mary S. Cornwall and Amanda N. Bagley started a small maternity hospital in December 1924, known as the Cottonwood Maternity Hospital. Always trying to do for others, these women would travel from Murray to Granger and Hunter via horse and carriage to visit young mothers and their children. Luella would travel with her mother and was known as “Mothers little Relief Society girl.”
Traveling into Salt Lake City was a trek for most of the people who lived in Murray. Luella would watch her mother make burial clothing, so the people of Murray wouldn't have to travel into the city to make such a purchase for their deceased loved ones. She would also be by her mother’s side when the Murray Baby Clinic opened.
In 1963, the new Cottonwood L.D.S Hospital, a major medical facility, was dedicated and opened its doors as an acute general community hospital. With the opening of the new hospital, the Cottonwood Maternity Hospital closed and moved its new patients into the facility. The new hospital formed a governing board and asked Luella to serve on the board.
Luella acquainted herself even more so by serving as a Ward Relief Society president, Stake Relief Society president and then a member of the LDS Church General Relief Society board. She loved singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir because it gave joy to those who heard the choir sing. As a Board member of the new Cottonwood L.D.S Hospital, she worked diligently to raise funds for the hospital’s special needs and equipment.
In 1975, recognizing that the South Salt Lake Valley was growing at a rapid rate, Luella was given the charge to help raise capital funds for a new facility, which would later be known as Alta View Hospital. She did this with great ease by recruiting new members.
For nearly 47 years, Luella has served in various volunteer roles with The Deseret Foundation and Amicus. She is a regular attendee at the Foundation’s events and activities. Luella has also been a generous donor and has reached the Pacesetter level. The Deseret Foundation expresses our deepest gratitude to Luella for her ongoing service and dedication.