Daylene Waite

Mom was born on August 11, 1942 in Nampa Idaho to Dayton Carl and Evelyn Higginson Raff. She was the only girl and had four brothers: Dayle, Terry, LaVern, and Stephen with whom she shared a birthday. She grew up in Nampa and loved going to her Grandma Higginson’s house where she helped in gardening and making pies and jams.

In high school she played the cello in the school orchestra, and as the story goes she was a “legend” on the softball field. She pitched for her school team and let me tell you, she struck everyone out. Mom met her future husband Cleve Waite at a church social, and when he heard about her exploits on the softball field, he just had to show her up since he could hit anything, anywhere, anytime. So, can you imagine his stunned disbelief when Mom struck him out without even trying – just imagine, you’re showing off for your friends, and you get struck out BY A GIRL no less.

Well one thing led to another, and they started dating which eventually led to them getting married. Mom was married to Cleve Waite on January 5, 1962 and they were together for 23 years and had 11 children but later divorced.

Mom, now a single mother felt the need to further her education for a job that would support her and her son Xandr. She graduated with an AS in Business, and an AAS in Accounting from Salt Lake Community College in 1993. She then worked at SLCC as a secretary to the Business Division Chair from 1993 to 2015 when she retired. She made many friends at the college, and both students and professors loved her. She had a smile for everyone.

Mom loved going on walks around town, visiting museums and aquariums, driving with her son around Utah and Colorado seeing the sights, and listening to Xandr play the organ. In her church callings she was a Primary Music Director, Ward Choir Director, Music Coordinator, and Librarian.

In 2022 Mom was diagnosed with cancer and after a three-year battle, she passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025. She is preceded in death by both parents, all her siblings, and her daughter Evelyn Waite Morris. She is survived by her children Seth, Keri, Lyle, Tamra, Chrystal, Amber, Ira, Dayton, CJ, and Xandr, 34 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and a great many others in our extended family.

Funeral Services will be held on June 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the Peoa Ward House located at 1224 W. SR-32 in Oakley, Utah 84055. It was Mom’s desire to be cremated and we would like to thank Rasmussen Mortuary for their service.