Angel Lost

Four years ago (and a couple of ward splits), I was called as ward clerk over finances. Even with my professional background in finance, there was a lot to learn. Fortunately the ward clerk, Steve, who trained me, was as knowledgeable as he was patient. He and his wife Nita had two children roughly the ages of my youngest, and they were approximately my age, give or take a year or two.

A hallmark of this family was how kind they were, especially Nita. So soft-spoken, never saying anything unkind or even flippant. I think she was the compassionate service leader in the Relief Society, but maybe not. She wore compassion like a cloak. Last month she gave the benediction at stake conference when Elder Nelson was there and I thought, “I’m glad they chose her; she is charity and purity embodied.”

Because I was in the lobby, I could not see her. Kara told me that if I had seen her, I would have seen that she was not well, ravaged by cancer. Yesterday, in an oft-repeated reminder that mortality is not deferred by virtue, Nita died. I’m sure there is at least one more ministering angel in heaven today.