Regina Josephine Gillespie Jacobson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Regina Josephine Gillespie was the first born child of Edria Theora Heuett and Robert Henry Gillespie. Mother arrived into the world on June 17, 1929. Her birth, at this time and place, was a world in turbulence and unsettlement. June 12, 2016, her peaceful passing, the world remains a series of moving parts and chaos. Yet, in-between those many years, mother lived a life of struggle, happiness, betrayal, grief, joy, pain and song. Her mother and step-father, Vannus Jay Basinger, blessed her life with brothers, Vannus Melrose, Ronald Jay, Jerry Peter and Arthur Ray and equally sisters, Janet Kay, Joan Edria, Patty Ann and Rita May. At just sixteen years old she married her eighteen year old Sailor sweetheart, Harold Eugene Olsen. Her new role of wife began on Christmas Eve, 1945. With the demands and sacrifices of the US Military before this young couple, they were required to delay parenthood until 1949. With great excitement, Robert Eugene was added to this brides resume. With the crown of Motherhood firmly placed on her head, eighteen months later, she delivered Gene Ray. On October 16, 1951, while pregnant with Valerie Jean, her husband and his coworker were both involved in a fatal automobile accident. As a widow and sole provider for her nest of three small children, she fell into the arms of a handsome coal miner, Herbert Thomas Orell Jr. Through this relationship, Herbert Thomas Orrel III was born. On March 9, 1957, she married another Sailor, Clyde Ardean Jacobson. They first resided in a small home on second south and then to the farm on 600 south in Provo, Utah. Time marched on with the addition of Clyde Dean, Gaylene, Carl Allen and Lorie. The tenderness of parental grief was added by the death of a full-term, stillborn son. Divorce followed into the equation of her life. But, several months later on May 4, 1969, these two decided to give it another try and were remarried in Las Vegas, NV. A short time later, JoAnna, the caboose, was then added to her final brood count. On December 11, 1998 she found herself a widow again. At this time, she traded in her nomadic wandering for the quiet solitude of life. Eventually life demands full-time care and medical supervision. Mother has resided under the care and well-being of Heritage Hills Care Center of Nephi, Utah for the last several years. Mother worked at Tooele Army Depot, Frontier Café, Utah State Training School and other odd jobs. Her favorite car was a 1976 Vega. She loved fresh vegetables. She did not drink adult beverages, but loved fresh coffee with pie or ice cream. She loved to gamble in Wendover, dance and listen to country music. She loved to go visiting anyone, anytime and anywhere. She took the blows of life and swung back as well. She smiled, clapped her hands and laughed often. Mother fought the battles of depression, poverty, losses and made mistakes along her path of life, but found the talents of looks, brains, humor, crocheting, singing, endurance, forgiveness and love. Her greatest gift to the world is a life lived. A close second is the honorable sons of military and law enforcement service and the incredible daughters of strength, courage and opinion. Her legacy and DNA continues through her many, many, many, grandchildren. Happy Birthday, Thank You, We love you. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah. Friends may call from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, East Lawn Memorial Hills. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.

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Regina Josephine Gillespie Jacobson

June 17, 1929 - June 12, 2016