Belva May Provost

Our beautiful mother, Belva May Peck Provost, 83, was born on a snowy day, December 12, 1934.  She was born in her Grandparent’s home in Francis, Utah.  Her smart, athletic Mom and musically talented Dad were Margaret W. Crittenden and John Lyle Peck.  Unfortunately her sweet mother passed away when Mom was 2 1/2.  She and her baby brother Ken went to live with their grandparents, Lucian Millard Crittenden and Edith May Woodard.  Her grandparents owned a farm where hard work was valued and self-sufficiency was honored.  
Mom loved Kamas Valley and especially loved her close-knit family, which included her cousins, some of which she helped raise.  She was like a second Mom to them. Her first job was at Irene’s Tasty Shop, followed by employment at Kamas State Bank beginning her junior year of high school.  Mom starred in her high school plays, was Queen of the Kamas Rodeo, and participated in Girls State. She graduated as Valedictorian from South Summit  High, class of 1953, just like her mother did 18 years before.  
Mother married our father, Ralph Dale Provost, after only 3 dates.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 20, 1953, after which Dad immediately left for military service in Germany.  Sixteen months later the newlyweds moved to Salt Lake City and then to Ogden, settling in their first home in Sunset, December of 1955.  Robin Dee was born May 25, 1956 and Mark Lee arrived July 8, 1959.  Mom wanted a large family but was thrilled to have her two.  She proceeded to love us unconditionally and we have never once questioned that love.  
In Sunset, she began her long career of working with children and youth, always loving them, never giving up on them.  She wrote and directed roadshows and participated in Stake plays.  She performed a comedy act that brought the house down.  It was in Sunset Mom and Dad met many lifelong friends, and were apart of 2 dinner clubs that met monthly.  
Mom babysat, took in ironing, and then had the opportunity to work for Dell J. Larkin at Central Finance.  They were a formidable team.  Our mom always did the work of 2 or 3 people.  She was the Queen of multitasking, and yes, we had a home cooked meal every night.  She was an original “Super Hero” in our eyes. 
While working in Kaysville, mom discovered the quaint little town of Fruit Heights.  She was immediately smitten and spent some time trying to convince our Dad they could actually afford the move.  Soon, he was designing the landscaping and Mom quickly began decorating the interior.  For a short time she worked as office manager for Dr. Stephen Morgan, and then was hired on the spot to work for Fruit Heights City.  For about the next 15 years, she worked from the ground up helping the city grow. She became the 1st and only female City Administrator of Fruit Heights.  She brought the city through the mudslide of 1983, the intense growth of the city, the first City Celebration in 1989, and the building of the present  day City Hall.  She completed this task on time and without debt.
Mom medically retired about 1992 after her 3rd open heart surgery.  But in reality, Mom never retired.  Through bumps in the road and hospital stays, she insisted on moving.  She was afraid if she stopped, she would not get going again.  So, she did some traveling, often with her good friend Sheila and continued preparing amazing lessons for “her” primary kids.  Mom took care of Dad in his final years with ALS.  She was an avid reader and read hundreds of books.  She enjoyed lunches with friends, visits with family and friends, summer days at Ken’s cabin, cruising, watching movies, writing thank you notes, playing with cute Abby Rose, and hanging out with pups, Gracie and Lillie.  She absolutely loved her family history and her yearly Memorial Day trek to some 17 cemeteries  and 80+ graves.  She was generous to her friends and family, but especially to us her two kids.  Mom was beautiful, yet humble; and wise, but with a desire to continue to learn. But, her greatest quality was the ability to love everyone.  She was a champion to those she loved.
Mom received many recognitions in her life and belonged to several business women’s organizations.  She was also the “Unsung Hero” for the Kaysville City parade, and “Citizen of the Year” for Fruit Heights City.
Many don’t know this about mom, but she was an avid BYU Cougar football fan.  If the Cougars were not playing, she cheered for any other Utah team that was playing. Sometimes she would get really LOUD!
Some of Mom’s favorite things are birds, flowers, Sudoku, puzzles, cruises, and most of all friends and family.  Her favorite color is pink.  Mom’s favorite candy or ice cream is the one with the most nuts.  
She wanted us to thank her family and friends for their love and support, and a special thanks to Dr. Bruce Burtenshaw for keeping her alive for the last 23 years.  
Mom is survived by daughter Robin Dee Provost (DeLynne Thurman Thompson) and son, Mark Lee Provost (Bob K. Porterfield).  Brothers Kenneth Peck, Lyle (Karen) Peck, Larry (Kathy) Peck and Lynn Peck, sister Leslie (Mark) Deveraux and many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by step-grandchildren HeatherThompson (Bryce Petersen) and Eric (Jacquie) Thompson, step-great grandchildren Brendin Stevenson, Xadin, Keltin, Tristen, Julien Thompson, and Abby Petersen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, our Dad, Ralph, her sister-in-law Billie Peck, sisters, Renae Peck and Linda Sutphen and step-grandson Cory Thompson.
This is not Good-Bye, but a see you later. Thank you for being the Best Mom Ever.  We Love you Mom and Mama Forever!!