Verena Eyre

Verena Bohi Crowther Eyre 1917 — 2008 Verena Bohi Crowther Eyre, passed away peacefully at her home August 7, 2008. Her final weeks marked the first time in 91 years that she had been hospitalized.

Verena was born May 16, 1917 in Salem Idaho as the first child in a family of 10 children, to Joseph and Myrtle LaVern Tolman Bohi. She attended schools in Sugar City, ID and graduated high school in 1935. At an early age, Verena learned to play the piano and developed a love for music. She sang in many choirs throughout her life and loved the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In 1941, Verena was called as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints to the Southern States Mission. She began her service in Alabama six weeks before Pearl Harbor and the start of WWII. It was there that she met a fellow missionary, James Thomas Crowther to whom she was married November 12, 1943, in the Salt Lake Temple. Their happiness together was short lived as James was drafted into the Army five months later and sent overseas as part of the invasion of Europe. He was killed in France six days after their first anniversary, having recently received letters notifying him of the birth of their daughter, Jamie.

As a single mother for ten years, she divided her time between Idaho and the Crowther family of Sanford, Colorado until moving to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1951. It was there that she met and married Hilbert Orlo Eyre, August 20, 1954, in the Salt Lake Temple ‘for time only’. Their marriage was blessed with three children, MaryLyn, James Orlo and Jane. Following 29 years of marriage, Hilbert passed away in 1983. Mom felt blessed to have been married to two good men and often referred to her children as ‘choice spirits’. Her love, teachings, patience and enduring example of faithfulness lives on through her posterity.

Verena was a member of the Forest Dale Ward, Granite Stake for 57 years. She served many years as Stake Sunday School Secretary and twice as Relief Society President. She loved the temples and actively pursued genealogy and family history work. Her efforts have literally blessed thousands on both sides of the veil. As a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, she honored and preserved the heritage of her ancestors.

She is survived by her children, Jamie Von Loynd, Whitney, ID; MaryLyn Steve Thompson, SLC, UT; James Orlo Vinetta Eyre, Provo, UT; and Jane Eyre, SLC, UT; as well as siblings LaVern Johnson, Joyce Ross Hogan; Ona Johnston; Joleen Parkinson; Tolman Fern Bohi; Nina Kay Wilkins; and Renau Lehmen. Other survivors include in-laws, Caryl Shawcroft, Edith Woodward, Leona Crowther, Jesse Helen Crowther and Evan Wilma Crowther as well as 19 grandchildren and 17 great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands and brother Howard and sister Mary Blayne Bird.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday Aug 13, 2008 at 12:00 noon in the old Forest Dale Ward building, 745 E Ashton Ave., SLC, UT. Friends and family may call one hour prior to service and Tuesday evening, Aug. 12, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 255 So 200 E, SLC, UT.

Special thanks to her ‘angel’ Steve, and MaryLyn Thompson who enabled her to remain in her home during her final years. Additional thanks to other caregivers Jamie, Vinetta and Jane, the wonderful neighbors and caring members of Forest Dale Ward, as well as the staff of St. Marks Hospital and LifePath hospice care.

Mom, we love and miss you but rejoice in a life well-led, knowing we can be together again if we but follow your example.

Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Dr., SLC, UT. Online condolences may be sent to www.russonmortuary.com.