Marva began her life in a small white frame house located on the Harris Ranch, tucked away in the green foothills west of the center of town in Grace, Idaho. She was told that June 11, 1922 was a beautiful, sunny day – the day she was born. This is a description from her journal - it is so fitting to have a descriptive scene to remind us of her artistic talents and love of nature! And how appropriate because she did indeed have a “sunny” disposition!
As Marva grew up, her family eventually moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she graduated from South High School. She had a strong desire to move to California with her brother, Clyde, to attend art school, but her father wanted her home. However, she was a good artist and her flair for design always showed in her home and in her appearance.
After school, Marva met and fell in love with John Dean Workman. After dating for about a year, Dean was called to the Southern California Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Marva got busy waiting and working as a long distance and teletype operator, and also worked for the Red Cross as a receptionist and file clerk. She was a sweet, beautiful young woman and had many suitors. But she was faithful in waiting for Dean for the two years he served. While Dean was away, Marva served as First Attendant to the Days of ’47 Royalty in 1943. She said she was shy and was out of her comfort zone. However, this has always been a highlight of her young adult life, and she enjoyed reminiscing about it with her family.
When Dean returned from his mission on Dec. 17, 1943, they resumed their courtship. They were engaged the same month on Christmas Eve, and married January 5, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple – sealed for time and all eternity. About three months later, Dean shipped out to Boot Camp and eventually to serve overseas in World War II. Pregnant Marva waited two more years, held down the homefront and delivered their first child without her husband. She always told us she had great faith that Dad would return from the war. She went on to bear six more children . . . a total of five daughters and two sons: Mardean, Paul, De Ann, Janice, Judy, Randy and Lori.
Mom loved her family. She was a sweet mommy. Even when we were little trouble-makers, we don’t remember her getting angry with us very often. She instilled in her family, a good work ethic as she taught us to clean top to bottom. She was an excellent cook and seamstress - she taught all five daughters the art of sewing.
Mom was an optimist and had a great sense of humor and a penchant for fun. She was always singing, whistling or saying little quotes or poems to lift us up. When she whistled (usually while she was working), she had a beautiful vibrato which brought a pleasant spirit into our home. Mom also had some hidden talents. She could cluck like a chicken, give the best witch cackle ever and make her lips sound like she was playing a trumpet! She could yodel in a most delightful way. Mom always acted shy about these things, but she had this little air of mischievousness and we could usually persuade her to entertain us! She loved puns, teasing and a good water fight (well with some it was lipstick).
Mom regretted that she didn’t learn to play the piano – her piano teacher would get after her because she would memorize the music instead of reading it! She quit her piano lessons because of this, but she had one song that she memorized, “Rustles of Spring.” Every so often, she would sit at the piano and play this song, a quite difficult piece. Whenever we would hear her playing, we would stop what we were doing and go and stand quietly in the doorway to listen because we knew she didn’t like an audience. We were amazed that she could play this beautiful piece yet couldn’t play anything else.
Mom had a love for nature, from the most majestic mountain to the smallest butterfly. She collected wild flowers to dry for flower arrangements in the Spring and loved the drives up the canyons of the Wasatch Front in the Fall to get red and gold autumn leaves to display at home. She had a talent for flower arranging and a good eye for decorating as well as good taste in art. Her favorite color was purple – she loved to wear it as well as have a little in her home décor.
As Mom and Dad got older, Dad wanted to travel. Mom said she was reluctant at first but went with him willingly. However, she learned to love the places they went and the wonderful sights to see. They traveled across the United States including Hawaii and parts of Europe where she collected little keepsakes to display in her curio cabinet to help her remember where she had been.
In 1987, there came a call to serve a mission with her sweetheart to Independence, Missouri; then again in 1994, another call to serve in the Zollikofen Switzerland mission at the Swiss Temple. She was a dedicated missionary and served willingly even though she was beginning to have some severe physical challenges at that time. These two missions were important to her as she was able to build her confidence and share her deep testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Mom's physical body wore down and became more debilitated, Dad took care of her in their home for about seven years. When it became too hard for him, Mom moved to a care center where we took Dad often and made constant visits to make sure her needs were being met. After about two years of being separated, Dad joined her at Sandy Health and Rehab and they were together again. Mom passed away just short of their 70th Wedding Anniversary!
Mom's family was her most prized possession. She loved the holidays when family could gather. She was very proud of her 28 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren and was always asking how everyone else was doing – even when she didn’t feel up to snuff. She loved collecting poetry and wrote a few herself. This anonymous poem was found in her collection:
My life shall touch a dozen lives –
Before this year is done,
Make countless marks for good or ill –
Ere sets the evening sun.
So this is the thought, I always think –
The prayer I always pray,
Lord, may my life bless other lives
It touches by the way.
Mom did indeed touch and bless many lives - just about everyone who she came in contact with could feel the influence of her sweet spirit! We rejoice in the knowledge that not only is she released from her crippling prison, but she is walking and talking with the loved ones who have gone before her. How blessed and grateful we feel to have had this wonderful woman in our lives! We believe in the Resurrection and know we will see her again someday. We love you Mom!
Individual Memories
Mardean:
Mom had a vibrant spirit, though she was shy in certain situations. She once told me that she didn't like standing in front of people or even introducing herself because she was shy and didn't like calling attention to herself. She really surprised us, because, when they went on their first mission, she really came into her own, and stood and talked as it was second nature to her. Going on those missions really changed her.
When Craig and I went on a 3 week road trip across the country with them, she had her own road map, so she could help guide us. It drove us crazy, because most of the time she really didn't know why we were going a certain way. Mom was having some trouble with her health, but it didn't stop her from enjoying everything. I always wished my siblings could see how it was to travel with them as adults! We were more like friends on vacation together. Mom had a great sense of humor (even in the care center). She was optimistic in every situation, and could give us children her ideas to help us see a better perspective.
She was playful, prayerful, caring, loving and many more things. An indomitable spirit!
Randy:
My mother provided me with countless memories that I will always keep close to my heart. I want to share just a few in honor of my memory of her life with me on earth.
We sometimes don't remember too much about our toddler years as we grow up, but one that is ALWAYS ever so vivid in my memory is my Mom rocking me to sleep while singing her lullaby songs to me. By the time I was 5 or 6, my Mom had always told me that she worried about me when I was away from her, so if she ever whistled for me to come home, she wanted to see my bright shining face right in front of her to make her feel better (I never let her down). I remember sometimes being a few blocks away and hearing her special whistle signal, I would ALWAYS look at my friends and say, "I gotta go home, my Mom needs me."
My Mother had a teasing side to her with me. From putting a table spoon of salt into one pancake before she served me (just to see my face bitter up and then laugh), to starting a water fight inside the house (the rule was that I couldn't retaliate inside the house), I'm sure the neighbors knew what time it was because Mom used to chase me all around the house until I jumped the east side fence (SAFE) . . . nope, she came out the front door and splash, she got me (It took me a couple of times to figure out that she had placed another water bucket just inside the front door in anticipation of having to run fast enough to meet me). That's why there was never water in the house, but until I figured out what she did, I was amazed she could make it so fast to the front door without a drop of water on the floor!
Mom was my Angel on earth! My Mother NEVER said a mean thing to me, she NEVER uttered a swear word to anyone, she NEVER said a mean thing about anyone else either (even those people who may have deserved a stern word or two). My Mother had a way about her that made me want to ALWAYS please her. When I acted out or misbehaved, she would look at me and pucker up her bottom lip (on purpose) and tell me it was okay, she was just a little sad.
My Mom was a Champion of my life. She always knew the right thing to say, the right way to shape how she felt without making me feel bad. I may not have done everything in my life that made her proud, but I NEVER saw her react to anything other than, "you know I love you?" My Mom was the greatest Mother on earth and I had the honor of being her son. Mom, God bless you until we hug and meet again!
Janice:
Mom always had a happy song about every situation. It helped to lighten the day. I still remember many of the songs she sang: "She's got freckles on her BUT she is nice," that one always made me laugh. "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral" and "Go To Sleep My Little Buckeroo" were some favorites that I in turn sang to my children and now to my grandchildren. However, I always tried to whistle like Mom did. It didn't ever sound right - only Mom could whistle like that.
I remember coming home from school and seeing the kitchen table very neatly set up with pans and paring knives. That was our cue that we were helping Mom with the canning. I especially remember that little black rectangle pan. I loved those times!
I have memories of Mom teaching me the right way to make a bed and tuck the covers under the mattress just so. I was so impressed that she cared enough to do such a good job. I also remember watching her put on her mascara with the little brush. I thought she must be the most beautiful mother in the world!
Mom was a stellar example of "enduring to the end;" always thinking about how everyone else was doing; making sure to thank others for their help; wanting them to feel loved and valued.
Mom loved family history and was dedicated to passing this love on to her family. She preserved so many valuable memories by assembling book after book of pictures, poems, and thoughts. She always spoke about her sweet siblings who died as infants and didn't get to be part of this life for very long. Now she is meeting with them and getting to know them!
De Ann:
I'll always be thankful to Mom for the good music we had in our home. I love good music and appreciated her good taste. Good music, good movies and singing. Those were the days!
I'll never forget that beautiful, peaceful day. We sat on a log talking about the beauty of the earth with Mom while Dad fished lazily on the banks of some small stream in Yellowstone National Park. Suddenly, a bear came lumbering through the trees. We all ran for the car after warning Dad. He dropped his gear and ran also. Mom made it to the car first! The WINNER! (And still Champion).
I remember canning with Mom, though I don't know how still! We spent lots of hours skinning the peaches and removing the bruises. When almost none was left we just had to eat those small pieces. We still managed to have some full jars! Love in the kitchen - all those times we spent with Mom in the kitchen. Especially at Christmastime when she showed us how to decorate cute sugar cookies. She taught me everything I know about cooking and fun in the kitchen!
Lori:
I remember taking drives with Mom and Dad and having them both to myself. My siblings say that I was spoiled. I guess I was in the material sense, but I got to have them to myself a lot. Although I really appreciated all of the things they gave to me, their time was the most precious of all.
Mom taught me the love of beauty. I always think of her when we sing, "I Often Go Walking," because I learned how to love many things from her. I also had a favorite poem as a little girl because it reminded me of Mom:
"The morning sits outside afraid
Until my mother draws the shade.
Then it bursts in, like a ball,
Splashing sun all up the wall!
And the evening is not night,
Until she tucks me in just right -
And kissed me and turned out the light.
Oh, if Mother went away,
Who would start the night and day?"
(Dorothy Aldis)
Mom always trusted me to do the right thing. She was right, but I was always amazed that she showed complete trust in me as a teenager. I wish that video had been invented long ago - I would have loved to see Mom tap dancing! Thank you Mom, for singing those lullabies. I still love them dearly.
Judy:
Mom had me memorize the poem that Lori quoted for my first talk in church. I think I was only 4 or 5 years old. I remember practicing with Mom over and over till I had it just right. Then I messed it up! Mom felt so bad because she knew how hard I had worked on it. That poem left a lasting impression of my mother on me as well.
I well remember all the water and lipstick fights with Mom - mostly with the other kids. It was a lot of fun to watch, but I didn't want to get involved, I was afraid to get pulled into it so I always steered clear. I thought it was more amusing to watch from a distance. Randy, I have to confess I did sometimes help Mom get her water supply - I remember one time she even used the sprayer attachment from the kitchen sink to spray you out the kitchen window while she stayed snug in the house!
When I was four years old and sneaked under Mom's bed to eat a whole box of Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies, Mom never got mad at me - I mean I don't remember her ever saying anything about it to me then. Years later when I asked her why, she told me that when she saw me come into the kitchen with chocolate smeared on my face and say, "No, I didn't eat any cookies," it was so funny to her that all she could do was laugh.
We learned to love and respect Mom without her ever asking us to - I still don't know how she did that. She taught a lot through example. One thing that stands out to me is that if she ever thought she was even a little too harsh to me, she always came and told me she was sorry. That one thing impressed upon me the importance of humbling yourself. What a Christ-like attribute! I am amazed by her strength in her trials and am truly grateful for the last few years to have had the privilege and blessing of serving her!
Paul: (a couple of excerpts from his letters with his quirky sense of humor)
"71 is nothing - wait till you're 91 and they figure out how to make the world run right! . . . who's to say that human beings aren't far more capable of greatness if they keep a song in their hearts and truth in their love -"
"You and Dad have been with me during dark and light times - This is a light time - or as Al Smith said upon completion of the Empire State Building, "It's a very big thing." Your only reward for all this is love -"
Mom had more influence on Paul then she could imagine - he kept a song in his heart too! Now they are together - she finally knows how much he truly loves her!
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