Beth Foxley

Our beloved, quick witted, gin rummy hustling, scratch golfing, sweet roll baking, Diet Coke drinking, organ playing, all around fun, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother (emphasis on GREAT!) and friend Beth Smith Foxley passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 18, 2018, just 30 days shy of her 99th birthday. Beth was born in Fielding, Box Elder County, Utah on February 17, 1919. She was the seventh of eight children born into the family of Joseph Howe and Bertha Leonora Jensen Smith. Beth attended elementary school in Fielding and graduated from Bear River High School. After her high school graduation she attended Stevens Henager Business School in Salt Lake City.

Because of the severe economic repercussions of the Great Depression she had to drop out of business school and return to Tremonton, where she worked for Utah Power & Light. While working there she met a guy named Mel Foxley.

“So anyway,” they married on October 27, 1939 in the Logan LDS Temple. Beth and Mel had four children and worked hard to establish their business, Foxley Real Estate and Insurance, which they ran successfully until selling it in 1982. Mel and Beth were a fixture on Tremonton’s Main Street for decades and they always appreciated the good women and men of the Bear River Valley with whom they worked, lived, and played. Following the sale of their business, Mel and Beth took up a second residence in St. George, Utah where they worked to perfect their card playing and golf games.

Beth cared deeply about her community and tried to make it better place to live and raise a family. Because she was unable to finish her higher education she made certain all of her children graduated from Utah State University. She was a proud Aggie.

Beth was proud of her pioneer ancestors and was an active member of the LDS Church her entire life. She served as President of the Primary, President of the Young Women, and President of the Relief Society. One of her most cherished callings was as Ward Organist, a skill she learned after her children went to college. She played the organ in the St. George Temple every Saturday for many years until her eyesight diminished. Happily, even though her eyesight failed her, Beth’s sharp, fun, keen, and witty mind never did.

An effervescent, vibrant person, Beth brought joy and happiness to many. She will be missed but always fondly remembered.

She is survived by three of her four children, Susan (Al) Wilson of Logandale, Nevada; daughter-in-law Cece Foxley of Bountiful, Utah; Gretel (Swen) Swensen of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Douglas of Salt Lake City, Utah; 13 grandchildren; several great and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, son William Melvin “Bill”, husband George Melvin, “Mel”, and granddaughter Kristen Elizabeth Wilson.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27th at the Tremonton Cemetery. Friends and family will gather at the Salt Lake Country Club to celebrate Beth’s life on Friday, January 26th from 4:30 p.m.– 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or charity of your choice.

Thank you, Bethie for a life well lived and for the joy and happiness you brought to all. May the angels smile kindly upon you and may your heavenly reunion with loved ones be sweet!