Our beloved mother, Jewel Almira Pitcher Skousen, age 100, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2019. She was born August 29, 1918 in San Bernardino, CA, to Myrtle Gertrude Barton and Hiram Nathen Pitcher. Jewel grew up in San Bernardino, CA. She was baptized at age 10 into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jewel was sealed to her eternal companion, W. Cleon Skousen, in the Salt Lake Temple on August 13, 1936. They were married 69 years until Cleon's passing in 2006.
To all who knew her, Jewel was the living example of the model Jesus gave to love others as you would have them love you. She had a gentle, giving spirit, and was always looking to help others feel welcomed and appreciated. She was a good listener and never belittled or scolded, especially her children, but offered encouraging words to help them grow "line upon line, precept upon precept."
Jewel had a deep love for The Book of Mormon, the living prophets and apostles, America\s Founding Fathers and the Constitution, and was faithfully active in Parleys 1st Ward for more than 60 years. She served in numerous positions in Primary, Relief Society, Sunday School, choirs, presidencies, and programs.
She knew the name of every flower and loved animals, in particular her daughter Kathleen's toy poodle Chico, a companion to Kathleen until her death at age 20. During the past two years Jewel taught her little canary, Sunbeam, to accompany her in singing "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam."
A particularly stressful time in Jewel's life was tending to Kathleen's nine-year bout with kidney failure. Jewel was the on-site nurse, managing all aspects of the dialysis process that kept Kathleen alive.
Jewel was a master of the English language. She proofread and edited all of Cleon's books and many books written by her children, typically reviewing them more than once. Even at the age of 100 she was still spotting typos and errors that professional editors had failed to notice.
She was musically talented, and played the piano, the organ, and had a beautiful singing voice—gifts that she passed to her children. She and Cleon often serenaded each other, he on the ukelele singing tenor, she singing soprano. They knew more than 50 songs by heart.
Jewel leaves behind a full quiver of posterity: 8 children, 50 grandchildren, 163 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.
Jewel is survived by seven children, David (Judith White), Eric (Cheryl Jones), Julianne (Glenn Kimber), Sharon (Russell Krey), Harold (Anne Blietschau), Paul (Kathy Bradshaw), and Brent (Myralynne Ellis); and by a niece, Linda Kruis Petersen.
Jewel was preceded in death by husband W. Cleon Skousen, daughter Kathleen, sister Lois Kruis, and grandchildren Daniel (son of Eric and Cheryl), Jay Cleon and Krystal Joy (children of Glenn and Julianne Kimber), and great-grandson Mason (son of Clifton and Jessica Kimber).
The family expresses their deep appreciation to Heidi, Akesiu, Sherline, and all of Jewel's loving caregivers and Hospice Nurses.
A viewing will be held Friday, March 1, 2019, 7-9 pm, and Saturday, March 2, 2019, 10:30-11:30 at Parley\s 1st Ward, 2350 S 2100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109. Funeral services will be held March 2, 2019, 12 noon at Parley's 1st Ward.
Funeral direction by Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, (801) 363-5781. Internment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
