Eleanor Grimshaw Heywood --Born July 20, 1939; Died August 19, 2013
Preceded in death by her parents Leona Armstrong Grimshaw and George W. Grimshaw.
Survived by her husband Elijah Reed Heywood, son David Reed Heywood and his wife Jennifer Marie Heywood, son Samuel Greg Heywood and his wife Shari Pyne Heywood, daughter Jennifer Heywood, and grandchildren Christina Marie Heywood, Gabrielle Kathleen Heywood, David Reed Heywood Jr., George Theon Heywood, Jeffrey Gordon Heywood, Austin Reed Heywood, Alexandra Heywood Wright and her husband Cameron Wright, and Samuel Ernest Heywood as well as her brother Theon Thorley, his wife JoAnn and their beautiful family.
Eleanor enjoyed a happy childhood in Cedar City, UT. She graduated from Cedar High School in 1957 and attended the College of Southern Utah for one year. Her family later moved to Brigham City UT where she worked for Thiokol Chemical and attended Utah State University. Eleanor married her sweetheart on June 29, 1962 and was blessed with 3 devoted children and a multitude of ‘adopted kids,' including Oscar and Raye Lynn Lopez and Nelso and Nancy Villamizar. In 1991, Reed and Eleanor moved to Charleston, WV. Eleanor dearly loved the hills of West Virginia, as well as her beautiful Southern Utah home.
Besides raising and loving her family, the greatest joy in Eleanor's life came from serving others. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in many capacities throughout the years including stake and ward Relief Society president, Young Women's president, and Primary president. She was an inspirational Seminary and Institute teacher for 7 years. For a short time, Eleanor served as a Temple ordinance worker and a guide on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. From 2002 to 2005 she and her devoted companion were called to preside over 485 young missionaries in the San Jose, California mission of the Church. Her strong faith, compassion, and insightful teachings continue to bless the lives of her beloved missionary sons and daughters.
Eleanor loved literature, history, music and dance. In her youth she enjoyed accompanying her brother Theon and many others on the piano. She taught piano lessons for years and loved to arrange and compose songs for special family events. She found great joy in gardening, sewing, reading and traveling as well. She was an inspired, creative gift giver and skilled homemaker. She faithfully preserved and recorded the important events of hers and her family's lives.
Eleanor loved life with a joy that uplifted everyone who knew her. Even in the face of great difficulty, she was always gracious, thoughtful, outward-looking and unfailingly appreciative. She took pleasure in the simple beauty of a bird song as well as the great wonders of the world. In this life, Eleanor Heywood was a loyal, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. The memory of her optimism, humility, kindness, sweetness and love for us will be carried in our hearts until we are reunited with her again.
The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, health care workers, technicians and church members who made her life more comfortable.
In addition to those that were in West Virginia, a funeral service will be held at 11am Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at the Church Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 8735 Harvard Park Drive (1040 East), Sandy where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. A visitation will also be held between 6:30-9pm Monday, August 26, 2013 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S), Sandy. Burial will follow in the Larkin Sunset Gardens, Sandy. Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.larkinmortuary.com.
Either flowers or a donation to the LDS General Missionary Fund can be made in her honor.
