Mabel Zitting Meldrum

Mabel Zitting Meldrum passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, surrounded by love and family. Her decade-long fight with cancer came to an end as she was freed from mortal bonds to reunite with her sweetheart Howard Meldrum, her daughter Jeannie, and the rest of her departed family and friends. She was a beloved sister, friend, wife, and mother, leaving a posterity of over 230.

Born March 16, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Charles Frederick Zitting and Essie Francis Stokes, Mabel grew up in the suburbs spending time between her mother's home and the family farm in Sandy, Utah. As a young child, her family relied on the generosity of others for many basic needs. They had plenty of love but little else. Life events and tragedies shaped and formed her into a fiercely independent woman; she never wanted to rely on someone else for anything. She would be the caretaker, a selfless giver, the doer...she never waited for someone else to do something.

On July 5, 1957, Mabel married Howard Meldrum. They started out together living in Salt Lake City. Shortly after, Howard was drafted into the Army, and they spent 2 years in Illinois. After serving, they moved to Short Creek, Arizona. Although Mabel moved to several Utah towns throughout the years, she always called Short Creek home.

Mabel considered her children her greatest accomplishment. She didn’t just care for them – she cherished them. Her love language was making sure their needs were met. She gave birth to 16 children, yet she was the mother to 31 – each one a living testament to her spirit, her grit, and her boundless heart.

Along with raising her family, she started working as a waitress to earn money for their first home. Her first job was at the Thunderbird Café, in Mount Carmel Junction, Utah and then later Dick's Café in St. George, Utah. She loved waitressing, bantering with the customers, teasing, cajoling, and matching any and all with a barb, insult, or flattery. Customers loved her energy, wit, and overall good humor.

Changing careers, Mabel moved to Pleasant Grove and later Cedar City, Utah. She spent several years working in elderly care facilities as a nutritionist and recreational therapist. Her optimism and positive attitude resonated with patients who loved playing games, exercising, and going on her outings to parks, movies, shopping, and even the grocery store.

Her experience gave Mabel the desire to provide in-home private care for the elderly. It was very important to her to ensure a high quality of life for those who needed the help. When taking care of her own patients, she became the conduit between doctors, nurses and other hospital staff, connecting many people in need with highly skilled in-home care professionals throughout Southern Utah. Because of her excellent reputation, health care professionals started referring to her and her team as “Mabel's Angels.” When asked for recommendations for in-home care, those professionals continually refer people to “Mabel's Angels,” a legacy carried on by her daughters.

Mabel had boundless energy and the kind of personality you wouldn't easily forget. Wherever she went, people engaged with her and remembered her. She was shockingly honest, spoke what she thought, and meant every word she said.

Mabel is preceded in death by her husband, daughter, parents, siblings, friends, and grandsons Travis Hamilton, Kenny Meldrum, Braiden Meldrum, Clive Dutson, Mike Copeland, and James Dutson.

An evening viewing will be held Friday, May 16, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary. 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah.

A morning viewing will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Dixie Convention Center, Exhibit Room C, followed by Funeral Services at 11:30 a.m. at the same location. 1835 South Convention Drive, St. George, Utah.

Following the funeral service, Interment will take place at the Isaac W. Carling Memorial Cemetery. 500 Township Avenue, Colorado City, Arizona.

Family and friends unable to attend Saturday’s viewing and funeral are invited to join us live at the following link: http://www.mabelmeldrumfuneral.com

The Family would like to acknowledge the Health Care professionals who selflessly helped care for their wonderful Mother. You are appreciated more than you know. Thank You.

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Arrangements were made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah 84770. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences with the family on Mabel’s digital memorial page at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com