Rebecca Lee Woodbury

Rebeccca Lee Mitoray Woodbury 1945-2016 Rebecca Lee Mitoray Woodbury passed way at age 70 in Lehi, Utah on May 6, 2016 due to complications of the flu which included viral encephalitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. Life support and extensive medical efforts were not successful. She departed this life to be reunited in passing with other beloved family and friends. Rebecca was born July 2, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois and is the daughter of Mitchell Mitoray and Mary Barbara Cerny Mitoray. As a young child she was hospitalized with whooping cough and later survived scarlet fever along with the other childhood illnesses typical of the times. She credited her paternal Polish heritage for her mix of stamina, determination, and fun-loving nature. Becky and her father were certainly kindred spirits. Her maternal side was part Czech. This heritage was a mix of industry, family cohesiveness, love of music, and Roman Catholic tradition. The French/English heritage was artistic, intuitive, detail oriented, academic, inventive, and industrious. It was this line of ancestors who lived on the Channel Islands off the coast of France, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and pioneered their way to the West. What a mix! Elder Russel M. Ballard stated: “The Lord knows all the details. When he does judge us, I feel he will take all things into consideration: our genetic and chemical makeup, our mental state, our intellectual capacity, the teachings we have received, the traditions of our fathers, our health, and so forth.” We will all welcome the mercy and fair justice of our Lord and Savior. At the age of 3, Becky and her older brother Roger traveled from Chicago with their mother Mary and grandmother Irene Meservy Cerny to Provo, Utah in a car driven by Aunt Julia (Mary’s sister). Julia was to be married in the Salt Lake Temple. Mitchell stayed in Chicago to sell the Mitoray home and join the family in Provo. Here they stayed. Becky attended Provost Elementary, Farrer Jr. High and Provo High School. In August 1968 she graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education with a double minor in accounting and economics. Becky was quite social and enjoyed friendships and relative connections. Playing pick-up sticks, jacks, and board games were favorite pass times with cousins. She would often visit a friend working at Walgreens Drug Store (once located at the corner of Center and University Ave in Provo). Walgreens was fun and so 50’s. It had a lunch counter and swivel seats. Becky would sit at the luncheon counter and order her favorite combination of cottage cheese, pineapple, and potato chips. Mother Mary was very organized and frugal and appreciated an orderly and clean home. Becky was diligent with house chores. Her least favorite chore was baseboard cleaning. This included using the vacuum crevice tool to clean every room where the carpet met the baseboard. Like her mother, she didn’t mind doing the laundry and very much enjoyed fluffy, clean towels. Everything was folded neatly and always a clean bathroom. The 4th of July remained her favorite holiday. When younger, her parents owned a boat, so after the Provo parade, friends and relatives would gather for water skiing, picnic, and evening fireworks. In 1971 Becky married Arthur Woodbury. For a while the couple had a military life, so there were many moves around the country including Mississippi and California. Other work took them to Idaho, and back to Utah. Art and Becky divorced in 1986. They had four children: Wendy (Daryl) Wise, Jill Woodbury Peck, Tony Woodbury, and Lyndsie Woodbury Miles. Pregnancies and deliveries were unusually difficult for Becky with complications and health issues challenging normal recovery. As a single parent Becky settled into a home near her parents in the Grandview area of Provo. Her parents and other relatives were a significant help. Her employment experience was extensive as she taught in the Murray, Alpine, Jordan, and Provo School Districts and was a department secretary (1985-1990) at Utah Valley University (known then as Utah Valley State College). Becky retired as a teacher from Springville High School in the Nebo School District (1995-2010). She was one who understood the struggling student. After retirement she would periodically substitute teach. Becky had the desire to travel. One of her dreams was to visit her ancestral countries—especially Poland She never made those trips, but she did brave a solo travel to Russia to greet Tony at the conclusion of his mission. One very memorable occasion occurred August 2012 when Becky and cousin Cindy invited cousin Carmen to visit and take a family history trip to Idaho to see where their mother’s were born and lived before father John Cerny decided to take his family back to his hometown of Chicago—which was so unlike Idaho. But, that’s another story. The cousins had not seen each other in over 50 years. Carmen grew up in Chicago and was residing in Princeton, New Jersey. She had traveled the world, but had never been out West. She was excited to see sagebrush. Becky and Cindy assured her she would get her fill of sage brush. Little did they anticipate Becky’s passing. That cousins’ reunion would be the last in this life time. Reflecting on various moves in Becky’s life, she began to feel restless with her location in Grandview. Becky enjoyed Provo Canyon and purchased a home/cabin in South Fork. There were unexpected challenges with Canyon living. She then moved to Pleasant Grove, then to Cedar Hills, and had recently moved into a newly built home in Saratoga Springs. Becky was in the process of unpacking boxes when she became very ill. A blessing given to Becky came with a promise that her worldly affairs would be taken care of, and she would be given the choice to stay or go. Becky never regained consciousness. In time it was obvious that given the mortal options and circumstances, and most likely a glimpse of heaven, she chose the transition from this life to the next—a rebirth; a new life. Her concerns about family here will continue, but nurturing will be achieved from a loftier sphere. She is in company with other loved ones who also share an interest in the well-being of their posterity. Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents and other beloved relatives. She is survived by her children, 14 grandchildren, brother Roger, nephew Kevin and several cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held Wednesday May 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Jordan Willows 7th Ward located at 2161 West Grays Drive, Lehi, Utah. Viewing/visitation will be held Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the church and again on Wednesday from 9:30-10;30 a.m. prior to funeral services. Burial will be at the Provo City Cemetery. Serenity Funeral Home in Draper, Utah is assisting with services. Condolences may be sent by way of www.serenityfhs.com

Rebecca Lee Woodbury

July 2, 1945 - May 6, 2016