Our Saddest Day Ever

Glenys Rae Brown Birks 1935 ~ 2014 Our delightful Wife, Mother, Grammy and Gigi returned home to our Heavenly Father in her sleep early Thursday morning, June 26, 2014. Glenys Rae Brown Birks was born the first of five children to Archie and Elaine Brown on February 12, 1935 in McCammon, Idaho. She graduated from East High in 1953 and then went to Beauty School. Her sweet aunt introduced her to one of her favorite BYU students, Jay Birks, who lived in her basement and they were married on June 3, 1955 for time and eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. She and her loving husband Jay of 59 years are the parents of 5 children. Laurie (Mike) Cline, Robynn (Dick) Thiot, Ric (Kathy) Birks, Elaine Lawrence and Jeffrey (Jenn) Birks. Glenys was blessed with 15 wonderful Grandchildren and now has 23 Great Grandchildren. Glenys had a way of making them all feel like they were her favorite.  Home was Glenys' favorite place to be surrounded by those she loved. Nothing would make her happier than to have unexpected visits from her family. Grandchildren always knew right where her treasure baskets of toys were and would head that way after a tight squeeze.  Glenys was very talented and crafty. She had a love for making everything beautiful around her. She enjoyed making porcelain dolls, sewing and crocheting. Glenys was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and loved serving in the church. She served in multiple callings but her favorites were Cub Scouts, Homemaking and serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Jordan River Temple. She and Jay served a mission to the Indiana, Indianapolis Mission in 1990-91. This mission proved to be a legacy for missionaries in her family. All ten of her grandsons and two of her granddaughters also served missions and could count on a weekly letter from her with a crisp $5.00 bill.  Glenys' family will be her legacy for generations to come. She had a strong testimony of the Gospel and a Love for our Savior Jesus Christ. She always knew how to find the best in us all. She was one classy and sassy woman and would never be seen without her lipstick or her beads on. There will be a viewing on Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Goff Mortuary at 8090 S. State and again Monday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to funeral services at 11 a.m. at the Sandy Hills Ward Chapel on 8600 South 1500 East in Sandy. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery. www.goffmortuary.com  
We knew this day would come sometime, but we were hoping it wouldn't be for a long time.  I miss my mom so much!  I can't even count how many times a day I almost pick up the phone to call her.  Anytime something happens, I want to tell her about it.  She set such a great example for all of us on selfless love. She was so interested in everything going on in our life and the life of our kids and grand kids.  I want to be like her!  A year before she died, Stacy took a bunch of pictures of her and dad, separately and together.  Here are a few of my favorites.

What a great lady!!!!

Mom's favorite color was pink.  Anyone who walked in her house would know it immediately.  Years and years ago, when they got new carpet, she chose mauve.  When they got new furniture, about 10 years ago, she wanted something that would still go with her carpet.  At her funeral we all wore pink, the guys had pink ties, and the little girls had pink dresses and most of us had pink sweaters or skirts.  It looked beautiful and I'm sure mom loved it!  The ladies in her ward decorated the luncheon with pink tablecloths and pink flowers.  They brought in all the flowers and displays we had set up and the cultural hall looked beautiful. 

My son Jamie wanted to make it a good memory for the little kids, so he and Krista came up with the idea to do bubbles at the cemetery, and then send off pink balloons with messages on them at the church after the luncheon.    Here are a few pictures, it really made it something nice for the kids.

Then we took them outside and sent them off to Gigi!