Jean Thurston
November 17, 1930 — December 21, 2015
On December 21, 2015, Verna Jean Ball Thurston passed away comfortably at home in the tender care of her family due to natural causes.
Jean was born to Frank Lester Ball and Ruth Annie Beard on November 17, 1930 in Henefer, Utah. She graduated with high honors from North Summit High School in 1949. She married Fred N Thurston in the Salt Lake Temple on October 10, 1952 and moved to Morgan, Utah, where she lived with her sweetheart, Fred, for 63 years. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Morgan 2nd Ward.
Jean was always a very giving person, serving her community in many roles, including a 4H leader and several church callings. She served in the Primary, Cub Scouts, the Church library, Young Women, and Relief Society until the time of her passing. In 2000, she served an eighteen month mission with her husband Fred to the Ogden Inner City Mission. She substituted at the school whenever she was asked.
Jean was a grandmother to everyone; she loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the neighbor’s children. She supported all her children and grandchildren in sports and all of their activities. Her hobbies included quilting and crocheting. She loved watching sports with her husband, especially the Utah Jazz. She loved her rosebushes, and she was a great cook.
Jean was very interested in her family history, learning the stories of her ancestors. She loved music and spent a lot of time learning to play the piano. She always loved family gatherings, Christmas most of all. The sleigh always seemed to tip over at the Thurston house.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents, her five siblings, and three great-grandchildren, Faith, Hope and Charity Garfield. She is survived by her eternal companion and sweetheart Fred N Thurston, seven children: Marilyn (Jay ) Garfield, Charlene (Blayne) Hall, Pamela (Alvin) Jensen, Howard (Kelly) Thurston, Kevin (Tracy) Thurston, Janet (Kerry) Call, and Norman (María Luisa) Thurston, twenty-six grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015 at 11 a.m. in the Rock Chapel, 10 W. Young Street, Morgan, UT. Friends and family may call at Walker Mortuary, 45 W 200 N, Morgan, UT, Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday at the church from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
Interment will be in the Milton Cemetery.