Eleanor Grimshaw Heywood

Eleanor Grimshaw Heywood, 74, of Hurricane passed away Monday, August 19, 2013 at her home. Born July 20, 1939 in Cedar City, Utah, she was preceded in death by her parents George W. and Leona Armstrong Grimshaw. Surviving are her husband Elijah Reed Heywood, son David Reed Heywood and his wife Jennifer Marie Heywood, son Samuel Greg Heywood and his wife Shari Pyne Heywood, daughter Jennifer Heywood, and grandchildren Christina Marie Heywood, Gabrielle Kathleen Heywood, David Reed Heywood Jr., George Theon Heywood, Jeffrey Gordon Heywood, Austin Reed Heywood, Alexandra Heywood Wright and her husband Cameron Wright, and Samuel Ernest Heywood as well as her brother Theon Thorley and his wife JoAnn. Eleanor enjoyed a happy childhood in Cedar City, UT. She graduated from Cedar High School in 1957 and attended the College of Southern Utah for one year. Her family later moved to Brigham City UT where she worked for Thiokol Chemical and attended Utah State University. Eleanor married her sweetheart on June 29, 1962 and was blessed with 3 devoted children and a multitude of ‘adopted kids,’ including Oscar and Raye Lynn Lopez and Nelso and Nancy Villamizar. In 1991, Reed and Eleanor moved to Charleston, WV. Eleanor dearly loved the hills of West Virginia, as well as her beautiful Southern Utah home. Besides raising and loving her family, the greatest joy in Eleanor’s life came from serving others. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in many capacities throughout the years including stake and ward Relief Society president, Young Women’s president, and Primary president. She was an inspirational Seminary and Institute teacher for 7 years. From 2002 to 2005 she and her devoted companion were called to preside over 485 young missionaries in the San Jose, California mission of the Church. Her strong faith, compassion and insightful teachings continue to bless the lives of her beloved missionary sons and daughters. Eleanor loved literature, history, music and dance. In her youth she enjoyed accompanying her brother Theon and many others on the piano. She taught piano lessons for years and loved to arrange and compose songs for special family events. She found great joy in gardening, sewing, reading and traveling as well. She was an inspired, creative gift giver and skilled homemaker. She faithfully preserved and recorded the important events of hers and her family’s lives. Eleanor loved life with a joy that uplifted everyone who knew her. Even in the face of great difficulty, she was always gracious, thoughtful, outward-looking and unfailingly appreciative. She took pleasure in the simple beauty of a bird song as well as the great wonders of the world. In this life, Eleanor Heywood was a loyal, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. The memory of her optimism, humility, kindness, sweetness and love for us will be carried in our hearts until we are reunited with her again. Funeral service will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Teays Valley Ward, 1068 Mount Vernon Road, Hurricane with Bishop Clifton Dedrickson presiding. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. You may visit www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com to share condolences. Additional service will be held later in Salt Lake City, Utah. Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane is in charge of local arrangements. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, health care workers and technicians and church members who made her life more comfortable. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the General Missionary Fund, in care of the Teays Valley Ward.

Eleanor Grimshaw Heywood

July 20, 1939 - August 19, 2013