Our dearest daughter, Camille Morgan, was born during the storm of 1996 when our little valley was flooded. Her entrance into the world mimicked the tumult of nature around her. An offering of her life was made by her Grandma Lena, for the life of Mia. Just six short months later that sacrifice, we are eternally grateful for, was realized. We chose for her the name Camille in honor of Saint Camillus, a dedicated caretaker of the sick. Her middle name, Morgan, means “Of the Sea”, after the Virgin Mary.
Indian Valley was the home for twenty-six and a half beautiful years of Camille’s life. Here her Native American ancestry runs deep, coupled with the European roots of her Swiss great-grandparents. On the ranch they made their own in 1927, Camille grew up, thrived, and became the beautiful young woman who we all knew to be such a bright beacon of light. Camille loved all her animals. She was adept in horsemanship and cattle. An animal in need quickly won the attention of her nurturing heart. While still in single digits, our green-eyed girl’s spunk and competitive spirit shone. A broken arm didn’t deter her from competing in the Paul Rogers Memorial Play Day, bringing home the ribbons to prove it. She loved being in the fields, irrigating, riding, putting up hay, and playing with her siblings.
Camille’s talent, dedication, and hard work continued to blossom as she completed her certificate course in technical hand embroidery with the Royal School of Needlework of London. Her Jacobean crewelwork, blackwork canvas, silk shading, and goldwork pieces are stunning. Fortunately for her, the school did not find out she was just sixteen and not yet the required eighteen years of age before completing the course. She also completed her certificate course in phlebotomy and took great pride in her professionalism and patient care.
Adventures and travel were another of Camille’s loves. Her first trip abroad was at the age of eleven when she visited Switzerland, Germany and Austria with her family on a pilgrimage. She thoroughly enjoyed the churches, the gorgeous countryside and the very best of fresh traditional cuisine. Her next adventure brought her to Spain where she explored the beauty of its Catholic culture manifested in the magnificent churches she visited alongside her brother and sister. Israel, the birthplace of our Divine Infant King was her third destination years later. This was followed by her very favorite place, Malta. The devotion of the Maltese people deeply impressed her, and she loved the rich history and abundant displays of faith. Her last pilgrimage was to Canada, fitting for her French ancestry. It ended in a visit to the White House with many members of her family and loving friends.
Camille had a great love and loyalty to her family and friends and a tender devotion to her nieces. She appreciated the beauty of the world around her and had an incredible flare for capturing its loveliness in her photography. She loved trips with those close to her, savoring music, cheer and the simple joys of life.
Only last year, the greatest desire of Camille’s heart was realized when she became a mother. Wrenley was the love of Camille’s young life. The foundation of love and confidence she had for her wee babe prepared Wrenley with the best wings to fly without her mother at her side.
Our family wishes to thank God for the 28 cherished years we were blessed to have Camille amongst us. Thanking Him for our beautiful daughter, sister, granddaughter, and aunt (fondly called Tia), we must also thank Him for the gift of the Cross; one we would have never chosen but He chose for us. God gives and God takes away. Just as she came to us in a storm, she left us in a tumult that has shattered our hearts with grief. He who created her and loves her infinitely, we trust, knew when to call her home.
She is survived by her beautiful daughter Wrenley; parents David and Mia Van Fleet; sister Hannah Rogers; brother Eric Van Fleet; nieces Elaine, Lucianna and Charlotte Rogers; brother-in-law Patrick Rogers; boyfriend Jake Marsh; grandmother Gina Gorbet; late grandparents Charles and Adeline Van Fleet, Warren Gorbet; and many loved aunts, uncles and cousins. We would also like to thank our priest, our family and friends and our community for all of the love, kindness, meals and words of encouragement.
A rosary will be held April 13 at 11:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Taylorsville, with graveyard services at 1 p.m. at the Greenville Cemetery. Luncheon will follow at the Mt. Jura Gem and Mineral Building in Taylorsville.
The family requests that in lieu of any donations, those who love our dear Camille offer their prayers for the repose of her precious soul, for our treasured little Wrenley, and for her loved ones.
