Clotilde Marina Zuñiga

Our beautiful mother, Clotilde Marina Zuñiga, was born on February 21, 1935, in Zaruma, Ecuador, and passed away peacefully, returning to our Heavenly Father’s home on April 28, 2026.

She was the beloved daughter of Aurelio Zuñiga and Dolores Conza.

Clotilde was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served faithfully in many callings throughout her years of membership. She especially cherished her time serving as Primary President, where her love for children and her joyful spirit blessed many young lives.

From the very beginning, our mother’s life was marked by courage and perseverance. She grew up as an orphan, facing hardships that would have overwhelmed many. While others experienced the carefree joys of childhood, she learned early the meaning of resilience, faith, and determination. Through those difficult years, she developed the strength, wisdom, and compassion that would later become the foundation of her family and her life’s legacy.

Her early struggles taught her lessons no classroom could provide: the dignity of honest work, the power of perseverance, and the sustaining grace of faith in God. She transformed hardship into love, struggle into resilience, and loss into unwavering devotion.

Although she had only an elementary education, she deeply valued learning and understood the opportunities it could provide. She worked tirelessly to ensure that her children would have the chance to learn, grow, and receive a good education.

Our mother was blessed with the greatest treasure of all—a loving family. Her children were her legacy, whom she taught, nurtured, educated, and raised with unconditional love. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren very much with whom she had wonderful memories.

Her devotion to God was the anchor that sustained her through every hardship. A cherished blessing in her life was being sealed in the Bountiful Utah Temple on February 21, 2026, securing her legacy for time and all eternity.

She loved music, sharing stories from her childhood, dancing, singing, embroidery, and cooking. To help support her family, she prepared and sold homemade food, which people loved and returned for time and again. She was an exceptional cook—and she knew it.

She was a joyful, kind, strong, dedicated, gentle, and enthusiastic person who always carried a smile. As a child, she loved climbing trees and embracing adventure. She was also very intelligent; when she became a citizen of this country, she worked hard to learn and successfully passed the challenging citizenship exam.

Our beloved mother worked honorably and diligently for 26 years as a housekeeper at the downtown Salt Lake Marriott in Salt Lake City. She was respected for her dedication, work ethic, and kindness.

Our mother’s life was one of service. She always looked after those less fortunate, offering help in every way she could.

Our sweet mother lived a life of sacrifice, courage, and devotion. She worked tirelessly to protect and guide her children. She loved without measure and always led by example. Her faith, love of learning, willingness to serve, and steadfast trust in God’s mercy and guidance shaped the lives of all who knew her.

She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and dear friends, all of whom loved her more than words can express.

Clotilde is survived by her children: Angelita Mercedes Granda Zuñiga Phillips; Fabiola Marina Granda Zuñiga Hermansen and husband Lance Hermansen; Pedro Segundo Granda Zuñiga and wife Jessica Victor Loza; Armando Aurelio Granda Zuñiga; and Alexandra Granda Zuñiga.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ryan L. Hermansen, Jeremiah L. Hermansen and his wife Hannah Hermansen, Daniel T. Hermansen and his wife Kennedy Hermansen, Kevin Granda Victor and his wife Laura Cabezas Granda, Pedro Granda Victor, Anthony Granda Victor, Indira Granda Arango and her husband, Sebastian Arango, Armando Alexander Granda Tapia, and Sophy Granda Tapia.

She is further survived by her great-grandchildren: James Hermansen and Maia Granda Cabezas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Aurelio Gerardo Zuñiga Espinoza and Dolores Conza Roman; Nuestro padre, Urbano S. Granda Davila; her brothers, Juan, Moises, Alejandro, and Luis; and her beloved daughter, Jacqueline Marina Granda Zuñiga.

Our family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the hospital staff for their support and compassionate care during this difficult time; to the Relief Society of the Escalante Ward in Salt Lake City for their continued love and assistance to our mother and family; and to all those who, in one way or another, helped our mother during the past few weeks.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 9, with a viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 760 North 1200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 2:00 p.m. at City View Mortuary & Cemetery, 1001 East 11th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103.

Forever in our hearts, always in our prayers.