Beverly Gayle Fitzgerald

Beverly Gayle Janzen Fitzgerald passed away peacefully on February 15, 2019. She was able to say goodbye to her many family and friends, and to hear them pour out their love for her on Valentine's Day. She spoke by phone to many others who couldn't be there in person.

Beverly was born to Fredrick Charles Janzen and Nellie Eleanora Michaelis on June 9, 1932 in Pocatello, Idaho. She grew up in Rockland, Idaho with her older sister Donna and younger brother Fred, and many good friends. Her family owned the telephone company there, and she was a great help to her parents in the family business.

She was a very good student and was the valedictorian of her graduating high school senior class. She attended the University of Utah after graduation from high school.

She married her sweetheart, Paul Fitzgerald in the Salt Lake Temple on August 12, 1952. They were married 49 years before Paul passed away. They enjoyed travelling together and spending time with their grandchildren.

She worked at Mountain Bell Telephone Company, the Gold Strike Stamp Company and the Continental Bank of Midvale.

Beverly loved working in her garden and had a "green thumb." She always had the most beautiful flowers and the greatest yield of vegetables from her garden. She made the best stewed tomatoes, grape juice, and she canned mountains of fruits and vegetables each year.

She was a very talented seamstress and sewed all her daughter's clothes. She sewed her daughter's wedding dresses and many other items for her children and grandchildren. Beverly had a magic touch in doing her family's laundry. She could remove any kind of stain, and her laundry was always fresh, light and soft, with the most pleasing clean aroma.

She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had a strong testimony of her savior Jesus Christ. She served in many capacities in the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. Her favorite callings were serving in the Stake Young Women Presidency with her lifelong friends Pat and Kay, and as visiting teacher with her dear friends Loainne and later Beverly.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, older sister Donna (Neal), and son Randy (Lynel). She is survived by her daughter Beverly Jane Emett (Vaughn), son Michael (Shannon), daughter Neldene Stoddard (Todd), and son Elliott (Meya). She was also survived by 25 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.

Her greatest joy in life was her family. She always showed up to important family events and was a support during hard times to all her family members. She was especially good taking care of babies. She loved to bathe them, and whenever she did they came out happy, sweet and clean, and ready for bed.

Her family and friends will miss her, but all rejoice that she can be reunited with her sweetheart and other departed loved ones.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the chapel on 1475 East 8600 South, Sandy, Utah. Viewing at 9:00 AM, Funeral at 10:30 AM. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah.