Muriel Jenkins Heal Bywater Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Muriel Jenkins Heal Bywater died June 5, 2016 at the age of 94. She was born September 8, 1921 in Springfield, Illinois to James Jenkins and Blanche Alkire Jenkins, the fourth of six children. She received her early education in Illinois and graduated from Lanphier High School, Springfield, Illinois. Muriel and her younger sister Betty Jean moved to Utah as converts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "to be close to the church". She was captivated by the mountains and the joyfulness of the people. She studied languages and music at BYU. She married William Ward Heal, a native of Provo on April 29, 1946. She was a beautician by profession and enjoyed twenty years of selling real estate with her husband in their own business. Ward died on January 26. 1982. On November 9, 1988 she married L. Gordon Bywater. They traveled, danced and enjoyed life together to its fullest. A book worm at an early age led to a number of accomplishments. Muriel served as Utah State President of the National League of American Pen Women, and enjoyed many years in the League of Utah Writers, and Utah State Poetry Association. Her poems, articles and children's stories were among many of her cherished achievements. She won The American Publication Award for her poetry book "Stretching Toward Wild Swans" in 1994. One of her greatest joys in life was being an avid genealogy researcher and writing her family history. We are grateful for her legacy she left each of us. A legacy built on faith through her choices made in life. She leaves a legacy of education and talent, shown in her spoken and written words of poetry, storytelling and music. Each of her children and grandchildren has a piece of her in them, tucked away deep into their hearts. To know grandmother/GG was to love her. She had a beautiful testimony of the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, faithfully serving many church callings, including working as a temple worker. Muriel is survived by her husband, Gordon of Provo; son, Thomas W Heal (Sandra), Provo; Stephanie Johnson (Ed), Springville; Christie Pearce (Dick), Spanish Fork; 20 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Kim Michael Heal; 3 brothers, Vernon Lee, James Jr., Lloyd Thomas and 2 sisters, Eula Gale and Betty Jean. Our family would like to thank the staff of Courtyard at Jamestown for the special care given to her these last years. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street, Provo, Utah. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.

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Muriel Jenkins Heal Bywater

September 8, 1921 - June 5, 2016