Helen Croxford Glissmeyer

1927-2010

Helen Croxford Glissmeyer died December 30, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

She was born February 27, 1927 in Salt Lake City, a daughter of Blanchard and Josephine Williams Croxford. She married August Glissmeyer Jr. (Gus) Sept. 23, 1949, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

All her life Helen loved creative writing. Even while in Elementary school she wrote class news items for the Deseret News. As an adult she published several hundred articles in local and national newspapers and magazines, and published two books.

After graduating from Granite High School, she was employed by Salt Lake Tribune Telegram Newspapers. She also attended some classes at the University of Utah. At the newspaper, she started as a copy girl, then worked on to the City Desk. She was then assigned to the “North Rim,” which included the LDS Church offices and Hotel Utah. Later she was assigned to the “Society” Department (now “Life,” etc.) and wrote numerous features for both the Telegram and Tribune. She retired from work to raise her family, then became a free-lance writer for Murray Eagle and Green Sheet Newspapers and other publications. One of her articles was syndicated and appeared in several states, Canada and India. Helen won many writing contests, including awards from the League of Utah Writers, Utah Press Assn. and Golden Age Magazine. She published two books, “The Right Knight and the Wrong Daze,” poetry for children; and “Help! There’s a Tigress in the House,” a collection of vignettes for adults.

An active member of the LDS church, Holladay 10th Ward, Holladay Stake, she served in many ward and stake positions. She also served with her husband as a Service Missionary host at Joseph Smith Memorial Building five years. Helen enjoyed music and drama; she wrote and produced countless musical programs for Primary, MIA, and Relief Society as well as some for the PTA. She was a member of Chanson Singers several years. In her early married life, she served as president of the Utah CPA auxiliary. Later served on the state board of The League Of Utah Writers and served twice as president of Wordcraft chapter of the writers’ league. She was named “Writer of the Year” by the League in 2002; she also became “a lifetime member” in 2010.

As president of Howard R. Driggs Elementary School PTA, she was instrumental in getting a semaphore and sidewalks on 45th South. Helen trained with Literacy Volunteers of America and tutored children a few years. When she was in her forties, she took up tennis so she could enjoy the sport with her husband and children. Later she won several trophies in doubles tournaments. She was a member of the Sports Mall.

The most important part of her life was being a wife and mother; she loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She also liked to be creative, especially with cooking. She taught tole painting at Zims Craft store a few years, and enjoyed travel with her husband in the United States, Hawaii, Europe, New Zealand and Australia for business and pleasure. Her favorite vacations were with her family at Sun Valley and Park City. She is survived by her husband; two sons, Jeffrey (Sherrie Spratling) and Eric (Martha West); two daughters, Jodi (Vince) Warner and Elana (Joel) Barrow, 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; also a brother Jay Croxford; and a sister Arda Horrocks. Her parents, and a brother Ray Croxford, and three sisters, Ethel Bailey, Bessie Upwall and Marilyn Biesinger preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday January 5, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Holladay 10th Ward (4601 South 2565 East). Friends may visit Tuesday January 4, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (3401 Highland Drive), and 1 hour prior to service at the church.

Online condolences can be made at www.wasatchlawn.com