Myrene Thomas Alvord

Myrene Thomas Alvord, truly a woman of grace and dignity passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2013. She was born February 15, 1917 to T.E. Thomas and Olive E. Parry in Ogden, Utah. Myrene was the eldest of six brothers and sisters. She is survived by brother E. Parry Thomas of Las Vegas, Nevada and sister JoAnn Jacobsen of American Fork, Utah. She was always pleased to tell people that she shared the same birthday with her twin sisters and one niece. She is also survived by three children: Sandra A. Lichfield (A. Sterling), Richard T. (Becky Rasmussen) and Warren C. (Bobbi Schmid), thirteen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Myrene spent her childhood helping to care for her younger siblings, loving them, entertaining them, sewing school clothes for them, keeping them out of trouble or protecting them from neighborhood bullies! She loved riding her horse “Bees ‘n Honey” with her father in the hills of Ogden Canyon. Because of illness she never attended high school but went on to graduate with a degree in art and homemaking from Utah State University. Myrene married Carl I. Alvord at her home in Valhalla Canyon, Ogden, Utah on September 22, 1940. She said after seeing Carl the first time in the bookstore at Utah State, even before being introduced, that he would be the man she would marry! Together they traveled the world, always excited to return home and share their pictures, stories and gifts with their family. One time she carried a two foot tall marble statue of “David” all the way home from Rome, on her lap to give to her son. “David” had to be tucked away in the bathroom hidden behind some plants away from the inquisitive eyes of all the neighborhood children! At home they were the perfect host and hostess as they loved to entertain often. It was a treat to sit at the dinner table and savor a meal prepared by Myrene! Myrene was a gifted artist, a professional seamstress, accomplished cook and a delightful friend. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she shared her creative talents with all, even traveling to Salt Lake City to teach and display her work in Relief Society women conferences. She had a passion for perfection; this brought her to the extreme of “blowing up” her kitchen not once but twice while trying to perfect the recipe for plastic resin grapes which became so famously known throughout the LDS church! Her children often teased her that “anything that didn't move was gold leafed!" The exquisite greeting cards she made for more than twenty years for family and friends have been welcomed and appreciated by those all over the world who have received them. Sequim, Washington was Myrene’s summer home for many years. There she enjoyed picking berries, friends, clamming and cool breezes. Widowhood lasted 30 years for Myrene but her loneliness was abated by those many friends and family who found great joy being around her. With their help she was able to live in the home she loved for many extra years. Thank you to her gentle caregivers: Donna, Hospice of the Valley, Sun Rise Living Ctr., friends Trudy and Carolyn, Karen and Jackie, her ward friends, and all family members who have given so freely of their time, friendship and love. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24th at the Phoenix Biltmore Chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,1835 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. with the service to follow at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Greenwood Memory Lawn. Myrene loved bright, beautiful colors. Since her funeral is an occasion to honor her please feel free to wear bright colors as well.