Laura Elaine Conley Edwards

Laura Elaine Conley Edwards

1943 ~ 2024

Laura Elaine Conley Edwards peacefully returned to her heavenly home on March 27, 2024, at the age of 80. Born July 23, 1943, in Patagonia, Arizona to Paul and Helen Conley, Elaine grew up in southern Arizona, attended Marana High School, and graduated from Tucson High School.

While residing in Silver Bell, Arizona Elaine met her first love, Anthony (Tony) Miles Romney. She was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 30, 1960. Tony and Elaine married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on June 27, 1961 and had three children, Kevin, Kim, andKurt. The family resided in various towns in Arizona while Tony established a career in banking. The family moved to Richfield, Utah in November 1978.

Tony and Elaine divorced in 1980, after which Elaine moved back to Arizona where she began a career as a receptionist and administrative assistant. In that capacity she worked for Motorola, the University of Arizona Press, Arizona State University graduate admissions, and Vanderbilt University graduate admissions.

Elaine’s sister, Marian Smith, introduced her to her divorced chiropractor, Dr. John William Biddy, who was practicing in Mesa, Arizona. Elaine and John were married on May 28, 1989. They lived in Chandler Arizona prior to moving to Branson, Missouri, Tucson, Arizona, Nashville, Tennessee, then Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. After a lengthy separation from her children and grandchildren, Elaine convinced John to move back west in August 2010 and settled in St. George, Utah. John unexpectedly passed away in January 2013.

Elaine lived alone for the next seven years until she was reintroduced to Doug Edwards, a wonderful gentleman and recent widower with whom she attended high school in Marana, Arizona. Doug and Elaine were married in St. George on July 9, 2020, and resided in Joseph City, Arizona. Doug and his family have been such a wonderful blessing to Elaine and answer to our prayers over the past three and a half years.

Elaine was a loyal and kind-hearted friend to many, a very loving and dedicated mother and grandmother. She knew no stranger, would help anyone in need, and loved, more than anything, spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Helen Conley, husband John William Biddy, grandson, Braidan Balle, and stepson Jon Edwards. Survivors include husband, Doug Edwards; siblings Marian (Ron) Smith, Brenda Bryson, Vera Conley, Eddie Conley; children, Kevin (Tammy) Romney, Kim (Blane) Balle, Kurt (LaSchelle) Romney; stepchildren Jim (Jeri) Edwards, Lynn (Joy) Ferson, Victor (Jenny) Ferson; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 13 step-grandchildren and 10 step-great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Elaine will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Ivins 8^th Ward Chapel, located at 240 East 1060 South, Ivins, Utah 84738. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church.

The funeral will be streamed for those who are not able to attend in person:

https://zoom.us/j/94413217465

For those who wish to contribute to a headstone in lieu of flowers can donate via GoFundMe https://gofund.me/8ad8ee1e or Venmo @Kurt-Romney.

The family expresses heart-felt gratitude to Highland Glen Assisted Living, First Choice Home Health and Hospice, and the Warenski Funeral Home for the tender love and compassion while caring for Elaine.