We love Grandma Ivins!

We've had a great last couple of days celebrating the life of an amazing woman! I feel so blessed to have known her and so lucky to have married into her family.
Doug's mom had the idea for this arrangement as a gift to Grandma from her family. She got a rose for each person in the family and then attached this cute seed packet with a picture of our family. The seed packet says "Grandma Ivins Planted the Seed" and there's a scripture from Doctrine and Covenants about reaping a good reward if you sow a good seed. She did a great job.Here's a few things from the display tables at the viewing. The little brown rectangle at the bottom of the picture is a quote she carried around in her wallet. They made lots of copies of it and had them out for people to take a the viewing. It was really neat. The quote says "I believe that only one person in a thousand knows the trick of really living in the present. Most of us spend 59 minutes of an hour living in the past with regret for lost joys, or shame for things badly done (both utterly useless and weakening) or in a future which we either long for or dread. The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what it is - a miracle and unrepeatable" - Storm Jameson. Such sound advice.

This is a painting of her cabin up at Tibble Fork and the quote is a really cute thing that she really liked so she wrote it down. I love it. It says "Remember me with smiles and laughter, that is the way I'll remember you. and if you only remember me with tears, you must not remember me at all." So cute. I think that totally sums her up.

This was a cute picnic basket they had displayed with her dishes, silverware and flowers - her favorite.

After the funeral (which was amazing) we went to the graveside service.Here's Mabel with cute Aunt Leda.

Here's all the men leaving their boutonniers on the casket.

All of the girls were given a daisy when we got there.

They also got to place them on the casket.

After the dedication of the grave they gave each of the kids a balloon.

Then they gathered all the kids together and had them send their balloons to grandma in heaven.

I loved how the casket looked with all the daisies on it. So pretty. She would have loved it!

Here's Doug's parents with all their children.

And our little family. Don't mind the hair in my mouth and me giving Lilly the death grip so that she'd hold still. Doesn't Doug look nice though? I think this is the first time I've seen him in a suit since he had to wear one to the first day of the accounting program.

Afterward we went back to the church for a wonderful luncheon. I loved how they decorated the tables. It was so grandma. I think she would have definitely approved.

These were the beautiful flowers. Doug's mom told me they were donated from the yards of some of grandma's greatest friends.

Mabel had a good time but enjoyed putting this basket on her head the most.Here's Doug's mom with a few of her siblings. The sweet woman in the middle was my Grandma's housekeeper for the last 35+ years or so. She is a very sweet lady.

Finally I just wanted to post her Obituary so that I'll have it for a future blog book.Virginia Mae Woodhouse Ivins
1925 ~ 2011
Our mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Virginia Mae Woodhouse Ivins passed away, Monday, September 5, 2011 from a sudden illness. She was surrounded by many of her family and friends. Virginia was born February 24, 1925, in Huntington Beach, California. The 5th of 7 children born to Elliot and Mariam Almira Peel Woodhouse. She grew up in California and on July 15, 1943 she married her handsome soldier, Heber Grant Ivins, Jr. Their marriage was solemnized one month later in the Salt Lake City Temple. At the end of World War II they moved to Utah to raise their family and where Grant could attend Law School. She was the mother of six children. Cathleen (Stanley) Street, American Fork; Leslie (Leslie) Chapman, Taylorsville; Christine (Craig) Wilkins, American Fork; Jeffery Grant (Kathy Hansen) Ivins, Cedar Hills; Timothy Scott (Ingrid Lapinell) Ivins, Cedar Hills; and Anthony W. (Rebecca Stewart) Ivins, Highland. Grandmother of 29, Great Grandmother of 73, and Great-Great Grandmother of 9.
A few of her favorite things were ...Christmas parties, Group Lunch on Thursdays, gatherings at the Ivins house, St. George condo, trips to Coronado, the cabin, family reunions, her poke-a-dot robe, chocolate chip cookies, jelly bellies, Swedish fish, traditions, toffee making, watching the children play, bridge, Nelsons Frozen Custard, hugs, flowers, visits from friends and family, the Friday Night Gang, caring hairdressers, the temple, dressing up for Halloween parties, and traveling around the world with Grant.
Virginia was a humble, elect lady, who devoted her whole life to the service of her children and grandchildren. She made everyone feel as if they were the most important person in her life. Her arms and home were open to all who wanted to enter in. This is a true testament of a life well lived.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren, brother, Don Woodhouse, brother-in-law Guy (Norma) Ivins and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, 2 great grandchildren, 2 sisters and 3 brothers.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the American Fork North Stake Center, 13th Ward, 975 North 60 East. A viewing will be held Friday evening at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork from 6-8 PM and at the church Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. Interment in American Fork Cemetery. Online condolences and memories may be shared at andersonmortuary.com