My grandmother (my dad's mother) passed away on Monday. It may sound cliche, but in many ways her death is a blessing. She was 94. And although she stayed healthy for a long time both mentally and physically, she has had to deal with many physical difficulties of age in recent years. She was an amazing woman--definitely someone to strive to emulate in many ways--so it is sad to see her go. Yet, I am also so happy thinking of the reunion between she and my grandpa who preceded her in death 14 years ago.
Some of the things I love/remember about my Grandma Larson are:
- sleepovers at her home with the other girl cousins close to my own age
- picnics in her backyard
- her beautiful violin playing
- lemon bars
- reading books with her on her living room sofa
- playing Scrabble and Uncle Wiggly
- her amazing collection of fancy dress-ups (long gloves, ornate clip-on earrings, fancy hats)
- she always stuck to the positive points when talking about someone or something
- and of course, the annual Santa Claus party
Ann Clayson Larson 1913 ~ 2008 Ann Clayson Larson, 94, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Monday, 14 April 2008 in Murray, Utah due to complications following a stroke. She was born 9 December 1913 at the family home in American Fork, Utah, the ninth of ten children born to Eli James and Ann Elizabeth Hawkins Clayson. Not expected to live long after birth, Ann often said that she had years of "borrowed time." Ann grew up in American Fork, graduating from American Fork High School in 1931. Beginning at a young age she studied piano and violin. Ann was a violin student of Leroy Robertson while attending Brigham Young University. Graduating in 1936 with a "Normal" diploma which allowed her to teach school, she later returned to BYU earning a BA degree in music and English. Ann served an LDS mission in the Eastern States from 1936-1938 and participated in the first Hill Cumorah Pageant. It was on her mission that she met her future husband, John Farr Larson, also an Eastern States missionary. They were married 26 June 1939 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They celebrated over 55 choice years together before his passing in 1994. Ann exuded a dignity and refinement on all occasions. Her proudest achievements were raising her five children, helping her husband through law school, and supporting him in his distinguished law career and as a juvenile court judge. She did this while running a model home and teaching young piano and violin students. Ann's love of music enriched the lives of hundreds around her. She was a violinist in the string ensemble Harmony Strings, which performed at various church and civic functions. She was also a member and officer in both the Alethian and Opera clubs and served as a church pianist until her passing. Ann was devoted to the Savior and His eternal plan. She gave a lifetime of devoted LDS Church service including serving on the YWMIA General Board, as a stake Relief Society counselor, and ward Relief Society president. She applied her gift with words in writing Relief Society lessons for the LDS church that were used for over 10 years. She was a hostess for 17 years at the LDS Church Office Building in Salt Lake City and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the BYU Alumni Association. Ann had a rare ability to make everyone feel important and loved. One of the great treasures of her family were the individual birthday cards she sent each year to her posterity. Each card contained a long handwritten note, expressing love to them and thanking them for all they did to help others and make the world a better place. This was a challenging feat considering her posterity now numbers over 100. Ann is survived by her five children, sons: J. Bruce Larson (Rosalie), Sandy; J. Craig Larson (Gail), Salt Lake; daughters: Ann Bailey (John), North Logan; Elizabeth Kennington (Dean), Sandy; Hatty Brown (Terry), Centerville; 56 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and nine brothers and sisters; a daughter-in-law Toni Larson, a step-grandson Trey Stocking, a great-grandson Benjamin Hendricks and a step-great-grandson Austin Moore. The family wishes to thank the staff at Brighton Gardens, where Ann lived the last five years, for their kindness and care and the medical staff at Intermountain Medical Center for their compassionate care of Ann during her final days. Funeral services will be held Sat., 19 April 2008 at 1 p.m. at the Salt Lake Olympus Stake Center, 2675 E. 4430 S. (45th S), Holladay. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Friday, 18 April 2008 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City and Sat. 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at the church prior to services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.
