Ellen Viola Horton

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Ellen Viola Horton

January 24, 1949 ~ March 29, 2025

I don’t know how much luckier a person can be on this earth to have had such a wonderful life and be able to acknowledge it. I was born to two wonderful Italian immigrants, Jim Chiodo and Palma Notorianni. They came to this country wanting to make a better life for themselves and for their four children.

I graduated from South High School in 1967 and then met my wonderful partner for life, Chick Horton. I knew after the third date that he would be the guy I married. Chick had 22 years in the Army, and I went everywhere with him except Desert Storm. What a fantastic life we had while he was stationed so many places. I had many wonderful jobs, with incredible people. What a blessing to have been able to have experienced so much and have the friendships from all over.

One of the biggest loves of my life was our children and grandchildren. Travis, Troy and Jaime were all born within 4 1/2 years of each other. They have wonderful spouses: Stephanie, Jill and partner Sarah. Best of all we had two wonderful grandchildren, Cole and Max.

I was very active in the Italian American Civic League and was very physically active all my life, running a couple of marathons and many half marathons and races. The other love was for the national parks, and I visited 55 out of 63. I loved my sisters Clara, Carmela and Pam.  

Ellen actually wrote her own obituary in November 2013. In 2019, because of her declining memory,  we did a family trip to Italy to celebrate our 50th anniversary that wasn’t until 2020.  

Ellen is survived by her husband Chick; children Travis, wife Stephanie and grandson Cole; Troy, wife Jill and grandson, Max; daughter Jaime and partner Sarah; sisters Carmela and Pam.

The family wishes to thank Rebecca Shaw, University of Utah Memory Care doctor; caregivers from Visiting Angels; the memory care staff at the Abbington in Murray; her hospice nurse Hali and aide Liz from Renew Home Health, and her supporting family and friends.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 7405 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) at www.npca.org