Beverly Joy Frewin Evans

1926 – 2011

Beverly Joy Frewin Evans passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on July 5, 2011. She was born in Salt Lake City, UT on January 31, 1926, the dearly loved and longed for only child of Sidney Harold and Ruby Viola Taylor Frewin. Although her given name was Beverly, she was known throughout her life as Joy, and that is how she lived her life, the essence of who she is, and what she brought to every life she touched.

Joy lived a life of service. She felt called to train as a nurse during WWII. Following her graduation as an RN from the University of Utah, she worked at LDS and Primary Children’s Hospitals. She provided loving care to so many throughout her life, healing the wounds of both body and spirit. She saw the good in everyone and was a true friend to those in need.

After faithfully waiting through the long years of separation during WWII, she married her high school sweetheart, David C. Evans, in the Salt Lake Temple on March 21, 1947. Together they raised their large family, welcoming every child and making each feel cherished and special. Survived by her children: Gayle Gable (Clark), Susan Foote (Gordon), David (Mary), Anne Evans-Cazier (Calvert), Peter (Linda), Douglas (Beverly), Katherine Orchard (David), and Louise Tortice; 39 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren, with at least two more on the way. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, and children: John, Amy and Michael Evans and Derl Tortice. She looked forward with unwavering faith to a joyous reunion with these loved ones.

Joy tenderly nursed Dave through a long illness at the end of his life. When asked how she cared for him so long and lovingly, she said, “That is what you do when you love someone.” This was her signature philosophy of life and the way she treated everyone. She willingly carried others’ burdens whenever possible throughout her life.

In addition to her family, Joy loved books, poetry, painting, gardening, and most of all the Lord and serving in His vineyard. She was kind, patient, gentle yet strong. Complaining was not in her nature for she knew how much happier life is when you count your blessings. She had a great sense of humor, a poem for every occasion, and a knack for making people forget a quarrel and smile.

Joy had a burning testimony of the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ and the restoration of the gospel. She served in the Primary and the Young Women’s organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had a special love for the women of the Church. She served twice as a ward Relief Society president, as a stake Relief Society president, and for eight and a half years on the Relief Society General Board before being called to serve from 1984-1990 as First Counselor to Sister Barbara W. Winder in the Relief Society general presidency. Together, Joy and her husband, Dave, served a full time mission for the Church in the Tennessee Nashville Mission. Following his death, Joy served two additional missions, one to the Preston England Temple and later to the Manila Philippines Temple.

Joy’s faith sustained her and, wherever she served, she lifted people up, saw the good in them, and helped them see the best in themselves and the world. Joy gave generously to those causes in which she believed. These gifts were always given privately, with the purpose to lift lives and better people. This pattern of private, helpful gifting is a legacy for which the entire family is grateful, and is an example to be followed by her posterity. As a family, though we miss her terribly, we take comfort in the counsel and assurance Mom gave so frequently, “Remember, it will be all right.”

The family would especially like to honor and thank our dear sister Louise for the loving care she gave Mom in her final years and for helping to make the end of her life on this earth a time of such sweetness. As Mom said so often, “Enjoy the journey, whatever it is.”

There will be viewings on Sunday, July 10 from 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Dr., Salt Lake City, UT and on Monday, July 11 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Salt Lake Valley View Stake Center, 2245 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City prior to funeral services at 11 a.m. Interment at Wasatch Lawn immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the LDS Church Humanitarian or Perpetual Education Funds.