April 7, 1943-July 26, 2022
Mavis Ruth Edwards Heywood passed away peacefully, with all of her children by her side, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. She was born in Richfield, Utah on April 7, 1943, then moved to Salt Lake City as a young girl. Her parents, Alma and Lila Edwards, provided a loving home for Mavis and her siblings. They were always supportive, wonderful examples, staying close to their beloved daughter and her family all their lives.
Mavis was an energetic and determined person. She was fun-loving and adventurous too. While still a young woman, the handsome and charming Robert Heywood caught her eye and the two would eventually become inseparable.
The story of their first meeting became a family legend. Too young for a driver’s license, Mavis took Bob’s car keys from his unlocked car and wouldn’t give them back until he let her drive his car around the block. He finally relented and of course, she quickly crashed. True to her integrity, she paid for the repairs to his car herself, while managing to keep this little mishap from her parents.
After a long and fun courtship, she graduated from South High School and married Bob in the Salt Lake Temple on June 8, 1961.
Her energy, organizational skills, determination, patience and work ethic helped her keep the family together as the Heywoods moved across the United States. The family moved often, from job to job, as Bob built church meeting houses, which eventually led to working on temples and other building projects that took them as far away as Hawaii.
Mavis lovingly raised five children, as they experienced new cultures and challenges, while attending schools in over 15 cities and at least 10 different states. They were blessed to be able to experience so many amazing places and meet people that touched their lives.
During this time, Mavis served in many church callings, including teaching Early Morning Seminary and often working with the Young Women. All who knew her loved her gentle manner as she bore her testimony of the Savior and provided an amazing example of discipleship. She had a penchant for poetry and wrote several beautiful poems, some of which were put to music.
Over the years, as they traveled across the country, Mavis and Bob made several stops back in Utah, living there for short periods between projects and eventually settling in their beautiful home in Sandy, Utah. For the next few years, she worked full time for Jordan School District, as a compassionate aide for special needs students. She did an amazing job.
When Bob got the call to move back to Hawaii for the remodel of the Hawaiian Temple, for the second time, Mavis was supportive and made it another adventure. While there she had the opportunity of being the Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Polynesian Culture Center.
After moving so much, Bob felt drawn back to Hurricane. They moved from Hawaii into the Heywood Family “Farm” in Hurricane. Mavis once again made it a home.
Mavis and Bob were finally able to host their children’s families and bring all of her dearly loved grandchildren together for important events and awesome Thanksgivings. Mavis cooked amazing meals, made everyone comfortable and gave all of them experiences that will never be forgotten. She was a super grandma.
Mavis took her wealth of experience and many talents to work for the Washington County Assessors office. She worked there tirelessly for over 20 years.
After she retired in 2013, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She adored each one and loved them unconditionally. She had many more adventures visiting, and going on vacations, with all of them. She was most proud of being called Mom and Grandma.
Mavis is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Robert Leland Heywood; her parents, Alma and Lila Edwards; her brother, Marlynn Edwards; sister, Diane Hanson; grandsons: John Carlos Johnson, Jr. and Nathan Alma Heywood; as well as her sweet granddaughter, Courtnie Heywood.
She is survived by sisters: Kathleen (LeRoy) Faerber, Becky (Colin) Edwards; children: Correne (John Carlos Sr) Johnson, Robert Craig (Becky) Heywood, David Alma (Kerry) Heywood, Deborah Ann (Miles) Morgan and Jason Lopaka (Kristi) Heywood; 18 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and other dear relatives and friends.
The family thanks the wonderful caregivers at The Haven for making her as comfortable as possible for the last two months, including two weeks of hospice care.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, July 30, at 1 p. m. at the LDS “Heritage” Meetinghouse, located at 1178 South 700 West in Hurricane. A viewing will be held Saturday, prior to the services from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Hurricane City Cemetery located at 255 East 600 North.
If unable to attend, click here to view the service via Zoom.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.