Beverly Brown Winegar

June 15, 1925  ~  July 30, 2012

At age 87, following a rich and full life, Beverly Brown Winegar passed away
July 30, 2012. Her independent spirit served her well, and even in the last
days and hours of her life, she remained coherent, smiling and happy to see
those who were able to come to her bedside to bid her farewell. In death, as
in life, she faced her circumstances with courage and determination. We
express appreciation to the doctors, nurses and aides at The Charleston at
Cedar Hills, and to Lisa of Envision Hospice Service, who assisted us in caring
for mom in the last months of her life, making sure that mom was always in
clean, pleasant surroundings, and that she was always neat and comely,
something that was important to mom and to us.
Beverly was born June 15, 1925 as the oldest of five siblings to humble and
goodly parents, Edith Fern Buckner and Claude Edward Brown. She learned
from them the values of hard work, independence and an abiding faith in the
Savior.
Beverly grew up as a child experiencing the great depression, and as a young
woman she saw many of those her age leave to serve their country during
World War II. She worked her way through college, studying at the
University of Utah, where she met LeMar S. Winegar, who captured her
heart. Following a memorable courtship, in which LeMar (who had a pilot’s
license) managed at one point to persuade Beverly to let him take her for an
exhilarating ride in an airplane, Beverly and LeMar married on April 15, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple. They soon established a modest home in Midvale,
Utah in 1950. Over the next several decades, they moved two more times,
each time remaining in Midvale, where they raised their seven children.
Beverly was a devoted wife and mother, ever supportive of LeMar in his
professional and church activities. She loved her children deeply and
sacrificed much to provide a home filled with love, wonderful childhood
memories, and many cherished traditions. Mom loved beauty and filled her
home with books, paintings, flowers and other objects that spawned an
appreciation and love for all things refined. For decades mom’s weekly flower
arrangements, gratuitously provided from her own gardens, graced her local
chapel. She was known for her skill as a cook, and she was a gracious
hostess. For many years she invited friends, family and neighbors to come on
New Year’s Day to her open house and a feast of wonderful and different
foods. Years after she had to discontinue her New Year’s Day Open House,
many would still stop by just to reminisce and enjoy her company.
Beverly instilled in her children lasting values of hard work, excellence in all
their endeavors, respect for others, and obedience to parents and principles
of the gospel. We still remember as children the occasional reminder
regarding obedience to parents, when she would resort to the threat of the
“red paddle.” More often than not, just the “threat” was enough to correct
us!
Beverly’s life was characterized by kindness and sensitivity to the
circumstances of those around her. This kindness found expression in
countless quiet, unheralded acts of service to others. She baked fresh bread
and rolls every week, and we remember with fondness running those tokens
of love to neighbors as a reminder that someone was thinking of them and
wanted them to know they were loved. Mom was not one to stand idly by
when she saw others in need. She left many anonymous envelopes
containing small but nonetheless meaningful sums of money at the doors of
others who she knew needed a helping hand.
She was a faithful member of the LDS church and served in every calling
ever extended to her, at both the ward and stake levels. For many years she
served as an ordinance worker at the Jordan River Temple, arising several
times a week at 4am to be there for the early morning sessions. She and
LeMar also served a mission at the LDS West Jordan Employment Resource Center, serving those who needed a helping hand in difficult times. She
served in community activities in the local schools, and was for many years a
chairperson for the Pennies by the Inch campaign for the Primary Children’s
Hospital.
Above all, mom was dedicated to her family. She was known as “Granny” to
31 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, all of whom adored her. Just
last month she attended a party where they gathered to sing to her and
delight her with their antics for her 87
th
birthday.
Beverly was greeted in passing by a host of loving family, including her
parents, her loving husband LeMar, who passed on January 20, 2000, her
sisters MarJean (Brown) Maxfield, and Claudia (Brown) Hanson, and a
grandson, Ryan Caywood. She is survived by her three daughters and four
sons: Denise Nydegger [Rick], Highland; Todd Winegar [Jacque], Salt Lake
City; Joel Winegar [Lorraine], South Jordan; Shannon Caywood [Traer],
Springville; Drew Winegar [Deborah], Draper; Melayne Williams [Wayne],
Cedar Hills; and Wade Winegar, [Sandra], Springville. She is also survived by
two younger siblings LaRae (Brown) Andersen, Sandy; and Roger Brown
[Jeen], Bountiful.
In the small apartment where mom spent the last days of her life, one of the
grandchildren (Ari) penned the following on a mirror in mom’s bathroom:
“I’m short, only five feet tall. I have silver hair, and beautiful blue eyes. I
love my family and when I look in the mirror, I see them. What do you see
when you look at me?” Mom, we see a life filled with service, love and
devotion. Your life is reflected in ours, and we will strive to live up to your
example of kindness and service. Thanks for eighty-seven wonderful years
Mom. We’re looking forward to our next New Year’s Day with you!
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 3, at 11:00 A.M. at the Midvale
6th Ward Chapel, 8171 So. Jackson St. (250 West), Midvale, Utah. Friends
may call Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Goff Mortuary,
8090 South State Street in Midvale, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
at the LDS chapel where the funeral services will be held. Interment will be at
Larkin Sunset Gardens following the service. In lieu of flowers, those wishing
to express their love and support for Beverly and her family are invited to
contribute to the Perpetual Education or Humanitarian Fund of the LDS
Church.