Our loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, and friend; Rebecca Lois Starke Crowther, passed away in her home on January 21, 2019, at age 71, from complications of dementia. She courageously faced this battle for over 12 years.
Rebecca was born on December 6, 1947 in Austin, Texas, to Robert and Lois Starke. She later attended Oceanside High School in California, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and child development, with a kindergarten proficiency certification.
On January 22, 1968, she married the love of her life, Jay B Crowther, and they were married for 51 years, during which they had several adventures together.
Rebecca and Jay traveled the world extensively – Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North & South America’s. They toured in Jerusalem, the Nile, Peterhof (Russia), The Great Wall of China, back-packed Europe, visited Hawaii several times, went on an Alaskan cruise and a cruise around “fin de Mundo” (the Southernmost point of South America.) Jay is very grateful for the opportunity they had to experience the world while Rebecca was in the prime of her life. Rebecca served in her church as a gospel teacher to youth and adults, was active in cub and boy scouts, helped her 3 sons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, and her 4 daughters to obtain their Young Women’s medallions. She served in the Baptistry at the Provo, Utah Temple, also as a Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women’s President, and fulfilled many other serving opportunities within her church. She organized and operated a pre-school, was an accomplished pianist, and taught piano lessons while developing a unique music learning method. She conducted home school with some of her children, and wrote volumes of books containing family history, some of which was published on a limited basis for the family as well.
Rebecca was always involved in her community; she was an Eagle Forum Chapter President, worked with the Utah Department of Transportation concerning road safety and traffic lights, and with the city over zoning issues. For many years she also represented her voting district as a county and state delegate.
She was an angel of mercy on earth, bringing missionaries, foster children and families-in-need into her home for short and some extended stays. In 1988 Rebecca became the primary caregiver to her Grandmother, Bebe (Bessie Mae Farmer), who came to live in her home for the next 11 years until Bebe passed away at age 96. Rebecca also served as a caregiver to her father and mother in-law, Chester and Delilah Crowther, before their passing’s as well.
Rebecca was preceded in death by her mother (Lois Starke), father (Robert Starke), step-mother (Mary Jo Starke), and sister (Robin Throssell). She is survived by her husband, Jay; her 7 children: Nathaniel Crowther, Camille Crowther, David Crowther, Jennah Martin, Tasha Eagar, Sarelle Pike and Evan Crowther; 2 son-in-laws; 3 daughterin-laws; and her 22 grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Walker Mortuary located at 187 S Main, Spanish Fork, UT 84660. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM, at the Loafer View Ward Building, located at 1129 South 250 West, Salem, UT 84653. A viewing will be held from 9:45 to 10:45 AM prior to the services. The internment will follow to the Salem City Cemetery located at 965 S. 140 E., Salem, Utah 84653.
Rebecca would often say early in her life that she wanted us to be joyful and celebrate her life, even whilst mourning her death on this Earth. She now stands in the arms of her God and her family who preceded her in death! God be with her, and us, until we meet again.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome at a Charity that Rebecca would have embraced called Mercury One, whose tag line is “Malice towards none and charity for all” (Abraham Lincoln) Donations can be received at www.mercuryone.org .
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