Eleanor Jorgensen Obituary (1923

Eleanor Jorgensen, born on July 24, 1923, in Price, Utah, passed away on December 25, 2014, in Provo, Utah. The youngest child of George Edgar and Florence Virginia Horsley Jorgensen, Eleanor grew up in a loving home to parents who instilled the pioneer values of faith, morality, industry, and Christian love in their children. For over four decades, Eleanor was a devoted, inspiring teacher in public schools and a professor at Brigham Young University in the Department of Clothing and Textiles. Through her professional endeavors and through her many acts of service and kindness, Eleanor touched the lives of countless individuals who will miss her optimism and intellect, as well as her sense of good humor. Eleanor’s dozens of nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, and grand-nieces adopted their favorite aunt as a second mother who always graciously welcomed them into her home. She knew all the names of her siblings’ descendents (four generations) and kept current with important events in each of their lives. Eleanor had a keen knowledge of the history of textiles and clothing design, having studied extensively at BYU, Michigan State, Ohio State, Kansas State (earning her Master of Science Degree in Clothing and Textiles in 1954), Texas Women’s-Denton, Texas (earning her PhD in Textile Technology in 1965), and other universities. After briefly teaching high school food and clothing, world history, and English in Payson, Utah, Eleanor was hired at BYU, where she taught nearly every course in her department during her 40 years there. A popular and excellent teacher, she earned Outstanding Teacher Awards from BYU in 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988. In addition to serving as Department Chair on a rotating basis at BYU, Eleanor served on state- and nation-wide steering committees and was often consulted as an expert in her field. She provided many opportunities for students in her department to serve as interns in the fashion industry in New York City. During her career, Eleanor led numerous student trips to fashion centers throughout the United States and Europe to give her students a first-hand understanding of the culture of clothing and textiles. Aunt Eleanor’s outside interests included traveling to many exotic destinations, including Cuba, Hawaii, and several European locations; listening to and playing uplifting music (violin and piano); following the lives of the British nobility; and—most of all—spending time with her numerous family members. Possessing a beautiful voice, Eleanor enjoyed performing the soprano role in several of the yearly Price community Messiah productions under the baton of her sister, the high-school choral conductor there. Surviving relatives include her brother, Cecil Jorgensen (Marian), Cedar City, Utah; nieces and nephews, Laura Lee Oenes ( Leon), Stephen M. Clark (Maurine), James Bruce Clark (Gayle), Jared Brown (Margie), George K. Brown (Gláucia), Dolores Weed (Gregory), Steven Jorgensen, Michael Jorgensen (Maureen), Jeffrey Jorgensen, Jerry Jorgensen (Sharon), Brian Jorgensen (Carolyn), Carolyn Passey (Bryce), David Jorgensen; their children and grandchildren. Eleanor is predeceased by her parents; siblings, George Eugene Jorgensen (Helen and Marge), Stephen Jorgensen, Helen Clark (James R.), Dorothy J. Brown (Deane), Dolores Jorgensen, Richard I. Jorgensen (Evelyn); nieces and nephews, Virginia Bragg (Don), D. David Brown, Jerry Washburn (Betty), Richard Alan Jorgensen, David Jorgensen, and John Jorgensen. Eleanor served diligently in many L.D.S. Church and charitable endeavors. It is fitting that she was born on Pioneer Day, reflecting her pioneer spirit, and died on Christmas Day, commemorating her hope and faith in our Redeemer. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. in the Pleasant View 9th Ward Chapel, 2445 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo, Utah. Prior to the funeral, there will be a viewing at 10-10:45 A.M. An interment service will be held at 3:00 P.M. in Price, Utah. Condolences may be sent online at www.bergmortuary.com.