Gwenevere Clark Passey Obituary (2007)

Gwenevere Clark Passey, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother age 97, passed into the embrace of waiting loved ones Tuesday, April 10, 2007. She was born in Logan, Utah to Hyrum Taylor Clark and Lu Emma Elizabeth Cox, February 21, 1910. After the premature death of her father in November of 1911, the family moved to Ogden. She spent many summers of her childhood with the Clark families in Farmington. As a young girl she studied ballet at the Sophie Reed School of Dance where she knew the late William Christensen. Gwen graduated from Ogden High School in 1928, attended Smith's Business College and worked at Scowcrofts. Mom loved playing piano and was an active member of Phi Kappa Mu, a federated music club where she later served as president in 1933. In June of that same year she married Heber L. Passey in the LDS Salt Lake Temple. Her beloved companion of 51 years died March 22, 1984. She was employed at the Ogden Arsenal, and after the family moved to Layton in 1946, worked at the Navy Base and Hill Air Force Base retiring in 1977. She served as president of the Layton PTA. Mom's activity in the LDS Church included serving as Stake and Ward Drama Director and Junior Sunday School teacher. She was an honorary Golden Gleaner Award recipient in 1969. From 1984 to 1988 she served as a hostess on Temple Square, giving presentations in the Tabernacle. Work in the church brought her much joy. A member of the Layton Oak Forest 1st Ward, she made many friends whose love and selfless service in her behalf sustained her to the end. She was an enthusiastic patron of the Utah Symphony, Ballet West and the arts. Like her mother, she loved to garden and care for her home. As well she was an avid fan of professional football and Jazz basketball. She enjoyed traveling, and in her later years kept busy compiling family histories, visiting family members and retelling stories from her past. She is survived by her children: H. Clark Passey, Joshua Tree, California; Joel C. Passey (Florence), Layton; Michele Dransfield, Shelley, Idaho; sixteen grandchildren and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. She expressed heart-felt thanks to the compassionate and supportive nurses, aids, and staff of Caregivers Support Network Hospice who cared for her in her final days. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 13, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Oak Forest 1st Ward Chapel at 2250 N. 2200 E. Layton with Bishop Christon Merkley officiating. Friends and family may visit Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Myers Mortuary of Layton, 250 N. Fairfield Road and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Oak Forest 1st Ward. Interment will be at Washington Heights Cemetery. VisitationMyers Mortuary of Layton 250 N. Fairfield Rd. Layton, UT 84041 April 12, 2007 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceOak Forest 1st Ward 2250 North 2200 East Layton, UT 84041 April 13, 2007 11:00 AM CemeteryWashington Heights Memorial Park 4500 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84403 April 13, 2007