Rosalee Hayward September 22, 1950 - October 27, 2023

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Rosalee Hayward, our wonderful wife, mother, and grandma. She passed away on the evening of October 27th at the age of 73, in Provo, Utah.

Born on September 22, 1950, in Provo, Utah, Rosalee was the youngest child of William Rawleigh Crist and Ethel Bell Harvey. Raised by a single mother, Rosalee spent her early years in Manti, Utah, and later moved to Spanish Fork during her teenage years where she graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1968. She attended Utah State College and Snow College for a time before marrying.

Rosalee married her Sweetheart, Sidney Blaine Hayward, on May 21, 1971, in the Manti Temple where the two were sealed for time and all eternity. They celebrated 52 years filled with long Sunday drives, bike rides, camping, and being outside together. The couple raised their six children in Benjamin, Utah where Sid built a beautiful home for Rosalee. She created many lifelong friendships in Benjamin, especially during “Tuesday Paint Day” when she and her cherished friends gathered to paint ceramics or wood items. Over the years Paint Day evolved into Coke runs to SIP-N and laughter-filled lunch dates.

As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rosalee’s faith was strong and unwavering. She often spoke of her testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and His direction in her life. She served wherever she could from Primary President to Girl’s Camp Leader, and many more in between. She joyfully supported Sid while he was the Bishop of the Benjamin 2nd Ward. Looking for the needs of others, she found ways to brighten their day whether through a phone call, a soda delivery, or her famous peach-raspberry jam.
When her youngest began school, Rosalee returned to the classroom first becoming an LPN and later an RN. She was a skilled and caring nurse both to the patients she served and their families. She worked in pediatrics and spent the last 15 years of her career working in the Utah Valley Hospital Newborn ICU (NICU). She was always humbled by the miracles and loss she witnessed. Two such miracles came just after her retirement. A set of long-awaited twin grandbabies who spent five weeks in the NICU with Grandma visiting daily to keep a watchful eye over them.

After she retired, she and Sid served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple were called as “Member and Leadership Support Missionaries” in the Texas Houston mission. There they spent their time in the small town of Navasota, Texas, where they loved and served the community.

For the past several years, Sid and Rosalee have spent the winter months in southern Arizona enjoying the warm weather, friendships, and side trips.

Rosalee was a skilled seamstress often sewing her children’s jeans, Sunday dresses, prom dresses, and wedding dresses. Her mother and grandmother taught her to tat, embroider, and crochet. She loved to do these sporadically, but most of all she loved to quilt. She pieced and hand-quilted many quilts in her lifetime. She enjoyed the fabric shop hops with her daughters to feed her fabric addiction and taking quilting classes. Late in life, she developed an obsession with the Singer Featherweight sewing machines.Of all the joys in her life, Rosalee loved being a Grandma the most. She attended countless concerts, plays, ballets, school and Primary programs, and graduations. During the summer, she often held weekly adventures she called Grandma Day where she and all the grandkids laughed and played together. Rosalee was especially proud of her grandson Wyatt who is currently training in United States Marine Corps Bootcamp and his desire to serve his country.

Rosalee was preceded in death by a grandson Tyler, her parents, and siblings Lawrence Crist, Della Lila Archuleta, Dora Lola Crist, Marvin Keith Crist, Loretta Crist, and Ronda Jean Cannon. She is survived by her Sweetheart of 52 years, Sidney, and their six children: Nicky (Wayne) Smith of Spanish Fork, Annette (Bryce) Crowley of Farmington, Heather (Chris) Jones of Salem, Hilary (Shane) Jones of Spring Lake, Heath (Shaelyn) of Payson, and Sarah (Jed) Jones of Taylorsville. Fourteen grandchildren: Jewell and Angell Smith, Autumn (Jordan) Petersen, Wilbur and Sidney Smith, Madelynn (Josh) Heileson, Mckenzie Crowley, Bevan and Wyatt Jones, Billy and Gracie Jones, Eliott, Lucy, and Jasper Jones. Two precious great-granddaughters: Sloane Rosalie Heileson and Marcaline Maeve Petersen. She is also survived by her brother, Paul Crist of Kelso, Washington, and sister Kendra (Jim) Thuet of Salt Lake City.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3238 W. 7300 S., Benjamin, Utah. Friends and family may call on Thursday evening from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 187 S. Main, Spanish Fork, and at the church on Friday, one hour prior to services. Interment at Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

Finally, Rosalee would tell us, “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!” We know that we will be together again!