Margaret Reveau Whitmore

Margaret Reveau Whitmore bravely closed out her well-lived life on Saturday, December 16th at her home in Granite, Utah.  She was playful, loving, generous and unpredictable up to her last curtain call.

She was born at her grandparent's farm house in Enoch in the shadow of the of the rust red hills of Southern Utah, on August 17, 1929 to Gwen Heaton and Henry Faught.  Her earliest years were spent in Snowflake and Taylor, Arizona. She returned at age 3, with her mother and baby sister Barbara, to the security of the farm house in Enoch.  The Heaton Family Farm was the setting of her fondest childhood memories and early formative experiences.

At the age of 10, she moved with her mother and sister into their very own house on Main Street in Cedar City, Utah.  About that same time Reveau's mother married for a second time, and Jim "Jimmy" Sherratt became her dad and her cheerleader.

Reveau graduated from Cedar City High School and attended the Branch Agricultural College (now SUU) where she received her associates degree.  Quickly it was onto BYU where she earned her teaching degree in both English and Drama.  She taught English in Kanab and Madeira, California, before being called to serve as a missionary in the Central States Mission.  Upon her return, she was recruited as the Drama Teacher at Ogden High School, at which time she was set up on a blind date with LaVoy Whitmore at the Logan Temple.

LaVoy was a returned missionary, and had postponed his college education to serve in the US Army, during the Korean War.  When they met, he was studying at the University of Utah to become a science teacher.  Their courtship was swift and efficient.  They were married in the St. George Temple on August 30, 1957 and in time settled down on the Whitmore family farm nestled at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon. It was here they raised their children, Jim, Stacy, Leslee, Marvo, LaVoy and Allan.  As the family grew, Reveau devoted her life to mothering and mentoring her children and countless others who were fortunate enough to cross her threshold.

While raising her children and supporting her husband, Reveau was highly sought after to make ornate wedding cakes.  She had perfected this craft at the feet of her mother, and would spend a full week crafting royal frosting hearts, flowers and bluebirds that would be placed on elaborate lace work.  Many will remember being told "don't walk or talk" as the cakes were nearing completion.

Reveau loved to teach, she used her teaching talents primarily as a homemaker; however, she also individually tutored over a hundred children and adults in her home, which was always her true classroom.  She was an advocate in helping struggling readers find success.  She was relentless in following-up with her students, their parents and the teachers of Granite Elementary School in her quest to have competent readers.  This did not end with children either. One of her most cherished church callings was helping two men in the neighborhood learn how to read. Twice a week for over a year these intelligent non-readers presented themselves at her home for some intensive reading instruction.  They graduated when they were successfully able to read the Book of Mormon on their own.

Mom never let the drama bug out of her system, she used it at every chance possible, with everything from writing to directing, but ultimately, it was her skill with makeup that involved her in large and small play productions.  She had two metal make-up kits that followed her from school to church productions.

Reveau had a lengthy resume of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Along with her husband, LaVoy she served as worker in the Jordan River Temple, and together they labored in Victoria, Texas on an 18-month mission.  She held several positions in Primary, Cub Scouting, Young Women's, Relief Society and Sunday School Organizations.  She had a tender, yet powerful way of teaching the Gospel, and a genuine conviction of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Over the past 14 years, Reveau steadily lost most of her physical capacities, however, she never lost her dignity, her desire to be gracious and her authentic interest in others.  She was brave as she pushed forward with each new adversity and physical limitation.

We would like to sincerely thank neighbors, family members, and professional care givers who made it possible for Mom to stay in her home and receive top notch medical and emotional care.  We are also grateful to friends and acquaintances who have taken heartfelt action to bring joy and pleasure to Mom's life.

Reveau was anxious to be reunited with her husband LaVoy who passed away shortly after their Texas mission, daughter Marvo, granddaughter Ashley, her two earthly fathers Henry and Jimmy, her mother Gwen, sister Barbara and a plethora of friends and relatives. She is survived by 5 of her 6 children: Jim (Linda), Stacy (Judy), Leslee (Calvin), Marvo deceased {Kurtis (Mary Jane)}, LaVoy "Bo" (Shaunlee) and Allan (Lynda), 38 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and her Sherratt and Faught siblings.  We are struggling to soothe our pain, but have been shown time and time again how to go forth with faith, from our tenacious, tender, unstoppable, positive mother, grandmother and friend.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 29 at 11 a.m. at the Granite LDS Church located on 9575 S. 3100 E. in Sandy.  Viewings will be the night before from 6 to 8 p.m. and preceding the funeral services at 9:30 a.m. in the same location. Interment will be at the Granite Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her sweetheart, LaVoy.