Valley County, IDGenWeb Project | |
Beth Thomas Fitzwater died Feb. 21, 2012, in St. George, Utah.
She was born in Driggs on Jan. 31, 1920, to Thomas Vernerd Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Heiner. Beth was educated in the Boise public school system where she was a student leader and excelled academically.
After graduating as her high school class valedictorian, she continued her education at the University of Utah, BYU, the University of Washington and Oxford.
Beth married Dale Tull Fitzwater in 1943. Dale died in 1970.
Active in Republican politics, Beth was elected to the Idaho Legislature in 1974 as a representative of Ada County.
She was the first female chief clerk of a state legislature in our nation’s history. Her involvement in politics resulted in her becoming acquainted with and an advisor to the campaigns of two presidents, three governors and several United States senators and representatives.
Grandma Beth spent 51 summers in McCall, where she welcomed children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Always immaculately groomed and sartorially resplendent, she was a gracious, impeccably-mannered host and steadfast friend, but not a very good golfer.
Beth was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and throughout her life expressed unending reverence for her ancestors and pride in her Mormon pioneer heritage.
She served as secretary to several General Authorities of the LDS Church during the formation of the Church’s welfare program.
She was utterly supportive and fiercely loyal to her family. She had a strong, colorful personality and a sharp wit. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.
Beth was preceded in death by three sisters, Dale Stout, Venice Thomas and Mae Flake; one brother, Thomas Vernerd Thomas, Jr.; and a daughter-in-law, Rae Lynn Fitzwater (Kevin).
She is survived by two sons, D. Scott Fitzwater (Karlene) of Tigard, Ore., and Kevin Thomas Fitzwater (Linda) of Colorado Springs, Colo.; seven grandchildren, Tiffany Rae Pancheri (Oliver), Aryn Mae Fitzwater, Courtney Beth Wonnacott (Michael), Bradach Black Fitzwater (Catherine), Allison Jean McLauchlan (David), Autumn Dale Beardsley (Barrett), Schuyler Thomas Fitzwater; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Beth Fitzwater fussed over grammar. If there is an error in this obituary, we will hear about it.
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