Mom's Funeral and memories...

Obituary:

Vickie Church Woodstock entered the spirit world on October 11, 2012 at the age of 56 after a hard-fought battle with leukemia. She was born September 27, 1956 in Cedar City, Utah to Richard LaVon and Ilene LeBaron Church. At the age of five her family moved to Mesa, Arizona where she graduated from Mesa High School and Mesa Community College. While a sophomore in high school Vickie met her sweetheart, Jonathan Gregory Woodstock. After his mission to Canada they married for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona temple on May 20, 1978. Vickie was a constant support to her husband in his work with the LDS Church Educational System.

Vickie and Jon are the parents of six children: Amber (married to Garrett Wastlund), Jamen (married to Krista Turner), Jace, Katie (married to Steve Oliver), Scott (soon to be married to Danielle Schwarz), and Daniel. Her children were her life. She loved them so much and prayed for them every single day. Her grandchildren brought her so much joy and happiness: Kimball, Jaden, Toren, Kody, Ander, Grace, Kai, Spencer, and Taylor. One of her greatest regrets in leaving this life early was that she wouldn't be at the births of Hinckley Victoria (born September 26, 2012) and Roderick, and all her grandchildren yet to come. Grandma will be their guardian angel.
Vickie was a graduate of Brigham Young University and received a Masters of Education from Utah State University. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings in the auxiliary organizations including, Primary President and Young Women's President. Her last calling in the Cedar Meadows Ward was as Primary chorister. The children loved her as she worked her enthusiastic magic in teaching the children the songs of Zion. She was deeply touched by all the get well cards she received from the children while in the hospital.
Vickie is preceded in death by her father, Richard LaVon Church and her brother-in-law, Edwin Sabin. She dearly loved her mother and her brothers, Richie Church and Greg Church (Somrong), and her sisters, Brenda Sabin, Sallee (and Stewart) Kauwe, and Christina (and Troy) Judd. She loved talking on the phone with her family, sometimes for hours. Her nephews and nieces always held a special place in her heart: Jonathan, Cami, Michael, David, Stephen, Star, Ivan, Matthew, Vernon, Sanoe, Noelani, Adam, Keola, Rebecca, Paula, Gregory, Joseph, Rachel, Samuel, Nathan, and Diana. Family was everything to Vickie Church Woodstock! It is fitting that one of her favorite hymns was "Families Can be Together Forever."
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Cedar Meadows Ward, 370 N 4050 W, Cedar City, Utah (near Iron Springs Elementary). A visitation will be held on Friday, October 19^th from 6:30-8:00 PM and Saturday October 20^th from 9:30-10:30 AM at the Church.
Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. 

Mom's funeral was lovely. We had a lot of people come to the viewing and services. We had some people that drove for hours or even flew in to come. It was really touching. The following are the memories from our family that Jamen shared during his portion of the funeral service:

Daniel's Memory

Mom was a good friend. we would discuss everything. But one of my favorite memories is in Brigham city. Mom, Dad, and I would stay up late into the night reading quietly not saying anything. Dad would go to bed because he was and is an old man.

Me and mom would keep reading. After a while mom would turn to me and say, "go to bed."

 I would grunt in reply and tell her to "go to bed." this would go on and on until 1:30 in the morning. I would then start to go to bed, and after getting my pajamas on I would come up stairs and see that she hadn't gone to bed. I would then tell her "Go to bed mom."

She would grunt and say "okay I'm going."

Scott's Memory

My mom was an extraordinary woman that loved her family with all of her heart. Mom would always Always go out of her way to help us succeed and be the best person we can be. I remember mom staying up late into the night reading Harry Potter to me for a book report in class. I remember mom helping me memorize all my lines in all the plays I've ever been in. I remember mom typing the school papers I wrote because she was so much faster at typing and I had procrastinated. I remember her writing a note to my teacher saying she could beat me if I procrastinated on my school work, as long as she didn't leave any visible marks. She was amazing and helped me to be the man I am today. I will always love her and will never forget her. 

Katie's Memory

I sang in choirs all through middle school, high school and college. After every single concert without fail my mom would always make the same 2 comments. First she would say-“That concert was too long.” Second she would say-  “Katie-while you were singing I went through every single row and looked at every single girl and you are by far the most beautiful.”. I would always roll my eyes and say “whatever mom”. But I still loved hearing it. Because I knew in my mom’s eyes, I really was the most beautiful girl. And that’s how it was for all her children. In her eyes we were always the funniest, smartest, most talented person in the room. She truly believed it and helped give us the self-confidence we needed to believe it too, so we could go far in life.

Jace's Memory

Mom was notorious for not remembering our names. One night while playing games, I bet mom that she couldn't go the rest of the night without mixing up one of our names. Not five minutes later she owed me a blackberry shake; our standard wager. However, the most tender memory I have of my mother was in my early life. While sitting next to her in church, I would squeeze as close as I possibly could and hug her upper arm while resting my head on it. Never have I felt more safe and secure as those moments as a small child. 

 Jamen's Memory

I think of all of my parents children I gave my parents the most heartache as a teenager. I remember many times bringing my mother to tears because of my hard heart. Never once during those times when I deserved love the least, did my mother do anything that made me doubt her love for me, and her desire for me to be happy.

Those who know me know that I am very loud and outspoken about my opinions. If you know my mother well you will know that I got this attribute from her. We would often stay up late into the night talking, and exchanging viewpoints. We would both become very animated in the expression of our opinions. On several occasions Dad even got out of bed to ask us to stop arguing. Me and Mom would look at each other bewildered and tell him we were not arguing, but just talking. I loved that about my mom. I always knew she would tell me the truth, and hold nothing back. 

Amber’s Memory

Mom loved people.  I remember coming home after dates and chatting with her into the wee morning hours about everyone and everything.  My friends were often in on those conversations and would even come to her on their own for advice. They lovingly called her “mom Woodstock”. Every time my mom would move to a new area she prayed for one good friend, and she always got it. Holidays were her favorite because the house was filled with the people she loved.  She was one of the first to suggest a card game, and then visit and laugh into the night, often one of the last to leave the table.  She loved to sing, tell stories and engage in discussions. Although she was a busy mother of 6, I cannot remember a time that she was too busy for me. As a grandma she would drop what she was doing to read a book or play a game with one of her grandkids.  Even in her final days on Earth, she would lie in her bed and see all her family out in the family room and try to convince whoever was with her to help her get out of bed so she could go in that room and be a part of all the conversations.  I can only imagine how happy she is to be with her Heavenly family and what conversations she is engaged in now! She will be a constant reminder to me of the most important role of motherhood…to not get caught up in the busyness of life, but to always make time for the ones you love, because those are the moments you can never get back and the memories you will have throughout eternity!  I love you mom!

Memories from Jon Woodstock about his beautiful wife

41 years ago I walked into my high school sophomore English class and fell in love with a tall, beautiful girl with long blonde hair.  Our first date the next year was to our Junior-Senior prom.  We always loved dancing together!

I have tried in vain to think of a single experience I could share that would capture who Vickie Church Woodstock is.

An analogy I thought of was to compare our lives together to a large vessel of water, containing millions of tiny droplets of water.  It would be impossible to hold up just one drop of water and say this represents the whole.

How do I sum up 41 years of knowing and loving someone?  Millions of "tiny droplets" of daily experiences we shared together.  I truly cannot think of just one experience to hold up for you.

But I can describe a little of her character.

I have chosen three words to represent who Vickie Church Woodstock is.  They are the same three attributes that I fell in love with 41 years ago.

The first word is passionate.

Vickie was passionate about everything she did-from teaching primary songs to gathering food storage, clogging, growing flowers in her garden, praying, telling stories to her grandchildren, discussing politics, living the gospel, loving her children.  She was passionate about life!

The second word is faith.

Vickie Woodstock had absolute faith in Heavenly Father and his plan of happiness.  She had tremendous faith in prayer.  She had unwavering faith in me!  She saw my potential long before I did.  One night, at the age of 16, we were sitting in my car in front of her house, waiting for her mother to flip the light switch signaling it was time for Vickie to come in the house.  The topic of our discussion that night was prayer.  I confessed to her that I no longer prayed.  I had joined the church at the age of ten with my mother, but she had since gone inactive.  I found it very easy to follow into inactivity.  I don't remember any one specific thing Vickie told me that night, but I do remember how I felt.  I knew that she knew without a doubt that there was a God in heaven who would hear and answer my prayers.  Whatever she said worked.  I began to pray and attend church again.  I think my children would agree with me in saying, like Helaman's stripling warriors, "We do not doubt our mother knew it!"

The third word that I would use to describe my wife is valiant.

She was, and still is, one of our Heavenly Father's choice, valiant children.  Every calling in the church she ever had, she fulfilled with all her heart, might, mind, and strength.  A few times, when she was so sick, I had to physically restrain her from attending church to fulfill her calling.  That valiance also included her visiting teaching.  Vickie Woodstock was a faithful, caring visiting teacher.  Even her last few months, while she was sick in the hospital, she expressed several times how bad she felt because she couldn't visit her sisters.

Those are just three attributes of Vickie Church Woodstock.  I am sure many of you could think of several more.

Let me conclude by sharing some personal feelings about our marriage relationship.

On May 20, 1978, we knelt at an altar in the Mesa, Arizona, temple and were sealed by priesthood authority as husband and wife for time and all eternity.  I remember my breath was literally taken away, feeling the power and force of that sealing power.

Nine days ago, I held Vickie's hand as she took her last breath.  I suppose some men would have been devastated at such a time in losing their wife.  I did not.  I felt peace.  I believe I felt so because I believe in the power of that sealing 34 1/2 years ago in God's holy temple.  I know that we are still married, and sometime in the not-so-distant future, we will be together again!

Did we have a perfect marriage? No.  We had our disagreements.  Yes, we even yelled at each other sometimes.  But I can honestly tell you, that as I sat next to her the last few hours of her life, I had an overwhelming assurance come over me that when she passed through the veil she would "remember them no more."  She would only remember the good things in our relationship.  And I want you all to know that I had the same comforting feeling wash over me.  I can no longer remember any negative things about her, or our relationship as husband and wife.  I can only remember the good things.  Thus my love for my eternal companion has deepened in a way that I never thought possible.  

Truly God is merciful!

 My dad put pictures all through the room and halls leading up to the room.

 Brothers hanging out during the viewing.

 Children practicing their song for the funeral the next day.

 My mom's siblings, spouses and mother.

 Children and grandchildren.

 Extended family

 Nieces and Nephews

 The Woodstock Children at the  burial.

 One of many old neighbors and friends that made a long trip to come support us.

 Kim Miner-my friend. She was in the primary presidency with me and was currently serving in the primary with the mom.

 Boys putting their boutineers on the casket and saying their last goodbyes.

 All the nephews

Krista took this picture of me while I was holding mom's picture getting ready to leave. She said it was kind of a 3 generation picture.

As a family we also compiled little memories and quirks mom had:

*She loved Trident Cinnamon Gum, caramel corn balls, and coconut anything (especially Almond Joys)

*She was allergic to chocolate, and did not like beef or pork

*She was a great cook unless she lost track of time and burnt the food. (it was about a 50/50 chance)

* If she was chopping things on the cutting board, and you reached in to steal a bite, she would pretend to stab your finger with the knife.  She only got us a couple times.

*She was very creative but not crafty.

*She was frugal.  She would clip coupons and liked a gift even more if she knew you got it on sale.  She would never spend money on herself, but would on others.

*She had a beautiful alto voice and was amazing at her favorite calling as Primary Chorister. She also loved harmonizing to songs.

* She always sang to her children and grandchildren.  Songs like "My mommy said if I'd be good" and "The dummy line" will be passed down for generations.

*When she set her mind to something she would make it happen.  She taught herself to clog and started her own clogging studio.

*She always had dinner on the table and the laundry done.  The house was cluttered with 6 children, but never dirty.

*She was very supportive of my dad and his work.

*She always had a job, even if it was just a paper route.

*She would engage in "discussions" with her kids until late at night, at which point dad would come out and say "stop arguing".  Mom would always respond "we are not arguing we're having a discussion".  And we really were, we were just loud.

*She hated having her picture taken and always had to stand in the back.

*She would always drop what she was doing to read a book or play games with her grandkids.  They loved it when she would hum and beat the rhythm of primary songs on their belly as they tried to guess what song it was.  No one could give a back scratch like grandma.

*She hated driving in traffic and unfamiliar cities, and got lost on more than one occasion.

*She had an incredible imagination and would tell her children and grandchildren amazing stories she would make up to go to bed at night.  We always told her she should write a book.

*She loved watching movies but only if they had a "Happily Ever After" ending.  If not, she would say "who would waste their time watching a movie that ended like that!"  She loved "Hallmark" movies. 

* She also loved murder mystery T.V. shows "Murder She Wrote, Monk, Matlock, Columbo...etc."

*She loved to play cards, unless she was sitting next to dad who she swore always stole her cards.  She was also very dramatic. She would complain that she never got anything good and then go down and set us all.

*She made the best bagged Thanksgiving Turkey and next day turkey noodle soup.

*She started the tradition of Christmas Cereal and sparkling cider next to our stockings and a new Christmas ornament every year.

*She was very opinionated and came off as intimidating, but was really the most tender-hearted, sensitive  loving people in the world. 

*She was great at English but a terrible speller.

*She would call her kids "freakazoid" if they were being stupid.  A jerk if she was mad at them, and a jack...(donkey) if she was really mad at them.

*Whenever her kids misbehaved, she told them she would send them to an orphanage.

*She cried the first time she saw Katie drinking caffeine

*She always wore red slippers.

*She was gullible, especially with her boys.

*She loved to visit and would stay up all night chatting.

*She loved books on tape and Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Laura on talk radio. 
*She liked to look nice, but was low maintenance. 

*Every year on her birthday she would wish for a million dollars.  Then the economy got worse and she upped it to 2 million.

*She was a fierce protector of her children, especially her daughters! When Amber got engaged, mom told Garrett the only reason he wanted to marry his daughter was because he has hot pants. (Still a standing joke in our family)

*She was always looking at house plans and planning for her dream home someday.

*She would always save the wishbone from the Thanksgiving Turkey and wish for a million dollars. 

*Scott remembers her beating them with a broom because she thought they were a cat.

*She loved to read Harry Potter to her boys.

*She could find anything if she prayed for help first. 

*She refused to cut or darken her hair because she insisted her long, blonde hair made her look younger and thinner. 

*She went on the cabbage soup diet at least twice a year, and stunk up the whole house for a week.

*She always wore coconut or vanilla perfume.
*She would make chocolate chip pancakes for Katie and her friends on late start  days at school.
*She was an amazing story teller. 
*Family was everything to her. Her family caused her the greatest sorrow and gave her the greatest joy. 

Love you mom-see ya later.