Leora Penhorwood

Leora Margaret Rudd McCowan Penhorwood, age 94, passed away at her home on May 12, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 12, 1922 in Plymouth, Utah. The daughter of George Clark Rudd and Electa (Ettie) Nish. She was the first of five children. Leora grew up in Plymouth and West Fielding on her parent’s farm where she loved to ride horses, play basketball, softball and have fun with her cousins and friends. Mom learned the skills of homemaking and conviviality from her mother and the values of ethics and hard work from her father.

She attended Fielding Elementary School and later graduated from Bear River High School and Garland LDS Seminary in 1940 where she enjoyed playing the saxophone and loved dancing and sports. She was an excellent student and participated in school activities. Leora met James A. McCowan while working in Ogden, Utah and they were married in 1942. They had one son, James C. McCowan. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in 1950. They lived in Clearfield, Utah, where James was assigned to “Hill Field” after returning from WWII in Europe. Continuing his military service, they lived in Germany, California, South Carolina, Illinois, and Texas. They later divorced.

She married Gene M. Penhorwood in January 1969 and enjoyed the blessing of helping to raise his daughter, Linda. Leora enjoyed sewing, crocheting, quilting, knitting afghans and leper dressings. Visiting and uplifting her many friends through composing poetry for them on special occasions was one of her greatest joys. Gene and Leora loved to dance and enjoyed the music of their era. Together they rode their “Gold Wing” throughout the West. They purchased property and spent the majority of their retired years in Yuma, Arizona as snowbirds. The Yuma 6th Branch was a priority of their later life and she and Gene loved their calling as Branch Activities Committee members where they made lasting friends.

Leora was a woman of many talents. She loved to serve in her church and served in Young Women, Relief Society, and Primary callings. She served the past 14 years as a Church Service Missionary in the Layton Family History Center.

Leora is survived by her son, James “Jim” (Myrna) McCowan, and son-in-law Dave Wilson – Linda passed away in January 2014. Brothers Oris (Delphia) Rudd, Evan (Ethel) Rudd (deceased), Ross (Bonnie) Rudd, and Norman Rudd (deceased) (DeAnn). She had five grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gene, parents and her brothers Evan N. Rudd and Norman G. Rudd.

The family expresses sincere gratitude for the compassionate care provided by Step Forward Hospice: Lindsey, Deborah, Chaplain Griffins and the nurses Leslie and Jeff, along with CNA’s Coco, Sherri and Jeanette. Special thanks to “Visiting Angels” home care givers: Caitlin and Jasinta.

A Funeral Service celebrating Leora’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the Lindquist Layton Mortuary (1867 N. Fairfield Rd.) with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund.

Services under the direction of Rudd Funeral Home and Lindquist Mortuary.