Beebe Crane Hayward

Beebe Fondell Crane was born at home in Bennington, Idaho on April 7, 1924.  She is the oldest of eight brothers and sisters.  At age 12, her family lost their father, George Crane, to an early death, creating a hardship for their widowed mother. She graduated from Montpelier High School and then worked with the Federal Farm Subsidy Program.  She married Woodrow E Hayward on May 8, 1946 in the Idaho Falls Temple.  He built a home in Montpelier where they lived until their second son, Paul contracted polio.  They moved to Utah for Paul’s medical treatment.  Both Woodrow and Beebe found work, he for Clyde Williams Construction building homes, she at Electromotive Division of General Motors.

Beebe held many church positions.  She served a Stake Mission in Montpelier.  After moving to Utah she was called as the ward drama director.  She also cooked meal for the work missionaries and served many years in ward and stake libraries. 

Beebe was from old pioneer stock and had a hard life during the depression.  She went without many things.  She strived to provide for her two sons and on several occasions, her grandchildren, and faithfully cared for an ill husband until he died.  She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and always remained true to the faith.  She researched and found many family names for temple work.

Possessing a strong attitude, she always did more than her share or work, taking care of an elderly mother for many years.  Her home was always open to visiting relatives.  Annually she traveled to Idaho to decorate her father’s grave for over 60 years.  He desire was to live at home as long as possible, which required thrift, and her wish to pass there was granted.

Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart and they received assistance from her as needed, she being liberal towards them, which made her happy. 

She was a survivor (one tough old bird), having suffered breast cancer, diabetes, macular degeneration and blindness in her aging years, and colitis from age 29.

We thank everyone who helped her over the years in any way, including the professional and caring medical providers, as she aged.  Determined to live alone and make the best of it, Tiffany  and Adam, a granddaughter and her husband, moved in to assist her.  Not to be forgotten were numerous times her home and visiting teachers, ward members, neighbors and friends accommodated her requests.  She spoke highly of each of them and we cannot thank them enough.

Preceded in death by her parents, two sisters (infancy and adulthood), and her husband in 2008, she is survived by her two sons, Alan and Paul, seven grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 22, 2017, along with a viewing from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM, at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah.

In lieu of flowers we suggest contributions to the General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.