Anna Darlene Coop Hymas

Anna Darlene Coop Hymas passed away peacefully on May 14, 2023 (Mother’s Day) due to natural causes. Given Darlene’s passion for being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, it made complete sense that she passed on Mother’s Day. Darlene was born in Ogden, Utah, to Lawrence Coop Sr. and Imelda Hardy Coop on July 18, 1929. While growing up, she was known for her wonderful smile and her knack at having a conversation with everyone. In her teenage years, she worked at Coop’s Service Market, her parents’ neighborhood grocery store. She loved to visit with the customers and suppliers. She was a people person.

While in the 10th grade, her infamous “wink” during a class started an eternal romance with her future husband, Merrill Hymas. They married on June 8, 1949 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Shortly following their marriage, Darlene supported Merrill from home when he left on a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She worked at Commercial Security Bank while Merrill was away, and during that time she served as a Stake Missionary.

Darlene loved to help other people. She was interested in others and always showed genuine concern for all she knew. At church she served faithfully in the Primary, Young Women and Relief Society organizations. Darlene and Merrill served as senior missionaries in the New York, New York South Mission from 2000 to 2001 and at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City for ten years.

Her love for, and knowledge of, sports was amazing. She never wanted to hear a negative word spoken about her beloved BYU Cougars or Utah Jazz. At 93 years of age, she still watched all BYU football and basketball games, all Jazz games, and most NBA playoff games. She enjoyed discussing and sharing her insights about the games and learning about the players. She loved cheering on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their sporting events, theatrical productions, dance performances, and other activities, just as she had done with her own children.

Darlene is survived by her four children, Rick (Marilyn), Laurie Lundberg (Scott), Robert (Kathy), and Scott (Alison), 21 grandchildren, and 72 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Merrill, her sister (Marilyn Nelson), and her brother (Lawrence “Brud” Coop Jr.).

A viewing will be held Sunday, May 21, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary located at 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy., South Jordan, Utah. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 22, at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 8950 South 1300 West, West Jordan, Utah. A viewing will precede the funeral at the church from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on May 22. Interment will be in the Ogden City Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.