Photo Gallery: Women Who Have Mothered Us

10937

My grandmother, Verla Butler Roundy, was an amazing woman. She was a mother to many of her grandchildren, and others who took refuge in her home. I was one of the lucky recipients of that mothering, privileged to be in her care. Following my parents’ divorce, I took on some of the responsibility for my five younger siblings, which was a lot for a 13-year old to bear. She willingly took us into her heart and home and bandaged our broken hearts. It’s been almost a year since she passed from this life. As difficult as it is to let her go, any of us who were lucky enough to know her can remember the love she gave to us, and carry that love in our hearts.

Lara Roundy Eppley, Springville, Utah

10939

This is a picture of my Mom prior to her going into surgery for breast cancer. When we found out she had breast cancer last October. Our entire family was devastated! But, not my Mom; she told me she was not going to let cancer take her. And even though she has had a few setbacks she has fought with her whole heart. I have been truly blessed with the best Mom in the entire world. While we were growing up she supported us in anything we wanted to try or do. She taught me to believe in myself. She taught me the gospel. She taught me to love unconditionally. She taught me to be the Mom I am.

Whitney Leaidicker

10940

This is my best friend Debbie Avila. Elder Holland spoke about Debbie and her two sisters who all have Muscular Dystrophy. Debbie is not only a strong sister is the gospel, but was married in the Los Angeles Temple. She has a tremendous amount of time, and she spends it reading good books as President Hinckley would say, and giving to those around her. Even though she needs 24 hour care as she can only move half her mouth and her eyes, she gives more than anyone I know. Whenever I need someone to lean on or someone to pray with or someone to vent to, she’s there. I’m the only member in my family and was disowned for having joined, so Debbie has been my Mother in the gospel since then.

Jessica Hogan, Glendale, California

10941

When I was 7 months old, my father passed away leaving my mother a widow with an infant. About a month later she was introduced to Amalia Galaviz. Amalia lived with us until I was about 15. She became my second mom, loving and teaching me as much as my real mom. She is about to turn 93 and is still involved in my family's lives. Everyone loves Grandma Amalia. She is the proof to me that families aren't always biological but connected through the heart!

Dorthy Angell, Parker, Colorado

10942

My mother, Betty McGarvey is a beacon of light in my life. Here sits surrounded by half of her 8 kids. She has always been there for us, living the gospel even thru the hardest times.  Every day telling me and showing me that she "lova, lova, lova's" me almost as much as my Heavenly Father does, no matter what and forever! I love you mom!

Lori Harding 

10943

This photo of the “Singing Mothers” was taken in the meetinghouse where I attended as a child. The building has since been torn down and most of these women are deceased, but all of them influenced my life. They were my Primary, Sunday School and MIA teachers, my neighbors, my mother’s friends. They took care of me in nursery when I was a little girl, and they worked in the PTA. Every one of them mothered me. My own mother, Mary Grose,  is in the photo too (bottom row, second from left).

Elaine Seaman, Taylorsville, Utah

10944

This Amazon woman is my mom, Sandra Kelso Love. Her example of motherhood has been such a wonderful example in my life. My mom has not had an easy life and has been sick through most of it but still had the courage to keep on going. She is a strong, independent, hardworking woman who has raised two children of her own and many others that weren't hers.

Valerie Olsen Brown, Pinedale, Wyoming

10945

This is my mom, Debbie Davis. She is one of the strongest women I know. She has faced many medical and life challenges. She is a recent survivor of breast cancer. She has always been there for me when I needed her. She’s been very influential in my life and in many others’ lives through her callings and service in the Church. I am very blessed to have been sent to a stunning woman that I call Mom.

Shawnee Poling, Yukon, Oklahoma

10946

This is my mother-in-law, Roberta Poling. She is a magnificent daughter of God. She's the mother of eight children (seven surviving) and at last count, she has 19 grandchildren. She is the rock of the Poling family and gives daily to family and those around her. She was a nurse for 35 years and a beauty queen. Roberta is the iconic matriarch of our eternal family.

Shawnee Poling, Yukon, Oklahoma

10947

This woman is my mother, Allonna Chapple. She has not had a life of ease and has had to deal with much sadness and disappointment in her life. She has battled through so much of it with the strength of a warrior. However, the hardest battle has been the one she is fighting now. She has multiple myeloma cancer. She has fought so bravely and with so much dignity. It breaks my heart to see her suffer and to go through so much as she continues along this terminal path. She will not get better and will not have much time left. Her cancer is growing quickly. She has never been an active member of this church, but through my struggles and hers, she has become a great woman of faith. She prays and pleads with the Lord with the amazing faith of a child, simple pure and trusting. She has a true and kind heart that represents a disciple of Christ. She is such a special woman and she deserves all the praise this daughter could possible give her.
 
Kathy Tawzer

10948

My dear mother, Karen Nicoll (from Mesa, AZ), has been an amazing example to me of a righteous woman. She is one of the most generous people I know. If I need anything, she does what she can to help me. This is significant because my mother has been dealing with anxiety/depression and other health issues for many, many years. She puts forth so much time and effort to make sure her three children are happy and taken care of. All of us children have moved out of the house and yet she takes care of us as though we were still under her constant care. She is constantly serving us as Christ served . . .  never expecting a favor in return. I am so grateful for my wonderful mother!

Amanda Kelsch, Mesa, Arizona

10956

My grandmother, Mary Allen, has been an incredible example to me of a faithful, forgiving and selfless mother. She is a convert and exemplifies faith in all she does. She goes about doing good on a daily basis. She serves her family, friends, neighbors and anyone in need. If ever I need something, I know I can call her and she will set aside whatever she was planning to do to help me. I am so grateful for her Christ-like example!

Amanda Kelsch, Mesa, Arizona

10963

My grandma Charlene Nicoll is an amazing woman. She has experienced so many trials throughtout her lifetime such as the death of her daughter, the death of two son-in-laws, and the recent death of her husband of many years. She has faced her trials and challenges with faith, with forgiveness when forgiveness was a very difficult choice, and with selfless love. She has experienced many health issues and yet, she is enduring to the end and is a wonderful example to her family of humility and patience. 

Amanda Kelsch, Mesa, Arizona

10950

My mother, Elizabeth Henderson, and my father were living in Scotland when some of her children were living in Australia. She felt prompted to have all of us join them in Australia. My mother’s very words to me that evening on the phone were "We would never leave you behind; if you do not wish to go, we will stay here with you". I did eventually move with them to Australia, but I appreciated the sacrifice my mother (and father) were willing to make for me. It was never a matter of choosing me above my siblings; it was more like never leaving the one behind.  We all flew to Australia in 1982. A year later I joined the church.

Katrina Rose, Blue Mountains, Australia

10951

The first picture is of my second mission mother, who was the wife of my second mission president. Her name is Sister Kerry Porter. She was such a delight to have as a mission mother. She always shared her love of the Savior, but not only that, she cared for each of us missionaries like her own children.

The second picture is of my first Mission mother, who is the wife of the current area seventy, Elder Carl. B. Cook; her name is Lynnette Cook. Sister Cook is a gentle soul. She was a kind hearted woman who showed Christ-like attributes in every way.

The last picture is of my mother, Litala Tiatia, whom I love and someday wish to be like as a mother. As I've grown up, I've watched her keep our family together through the many tough times. She never failed to teach us a lesson, no matter what the circumstances. She always gives service and has been a great role model for me in life. I am who I am because of her love.

Christie Tiatia, Sydney, Australia

10952

My wonderful, strong and amazing mother: Liselotte Jansen. She's a marvelous example of commitment, charity and love. Even though she is suffering from cancer, has had a triple by-pass surgery, a new hip and rheumatism, she still carries on and loves to visit with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She even still invites the whole family for dinner! And she'll turn 86 in June!

Charlotte Leit, Copenhagen, Denmark

10953

Pictured are Sister Thelys Bushman and myself. I met Sister Bushman in 1989 when she and her late husband Brother Burton Bushman served as proselyting missionaries in my hometown, Hualien, Taiwan. Sister Bushman learned to speak fluent Mandarin Chinese in her 60s, and through her faithful service, she and Brother Bushman converted and baptized many souls in Taiwan.

Upon returning home from their mission to Taiwan, the Bushman continued to serve the Lord by helping countless foreign students who were attending school in Utah. They invited those students into their home, fed them, clothed them, housed them, and even paid for their education. I was one of the many who benefited from their love, support, and generosity. When I grow up, I want to be just like Sister Thelys Bushman!

Allison Ji-Jen Merrill, Orem, Utah

10954

I lost my mom when I was 11 to a car accident. The void of losing my mom was big, but many amazing women help to fill it so I could become who I am today. However, my favorite goes to my mother-in-law who quickly became one of my best friends 10 years ago. Over two years after I was married, we found out a little girl was on her way. I missed my mom more than ever during this time. My angel mother-in-law was there to temporarily take my mom's place. She stood at my shoulders as I delivered my baby girl & I felt that void fill in. Now two boys later she is the best "Grammy" our kids could ask for. She is one amazing woman!

Sarah Bennett, Lehi, Utah

10955

My mother was also my best friend. We had the opportunity to work together since I was born, because her and my father were self-employed. I spent every afternoon after school at work and many weekends too. The family motto was work hard, so we could play hard together. I worked with her until I was thirty, when she finally got to retire and become a snowbird spending winters in Arizona. She was also the grandest grandmother to my five children and enjoyed their company often.

Barbara Talbot, Mountain Green, Utah

10957

My best friend's mom and a very second mom to me is Karma Langton. She volunteered her home and family to put me up for the year so I could graduate from high school. They lived quite far from my school, at least 8 miles. They put me up and made sure I would graduate; they basically took me into their family. Of course at 17, I didn't realize what a sacrifice this would take in their behalf. This shows their compassion, generosity and love.

Karma Langton now resides in Bountiful, Utah. She is cared for by her family and is 91 years young. Here is a picture of her now with a daughter, Pam.

Tim Epperson, Wichita, Kansas

10958

My mom, Vera Carter, at age 96. She was always teaching and always a good example.

Rosanne Reeves, Bountiful, UT

10959

This is a picture of my grandma, Arlene Evans Brimley, and myself when I was just 4 months old. My grandma had just had surgery to remove her cancerous kidney and had not been able to hold me for a couple of weeks. Later that year, she passed away. Although the only way I remember her holding me is through looking at pictures, I feel her love in a variety of other ways. Each night I listen a variety of stories she recorded for me that were her favorites along with her testimony of the gospel. I feel like she continues to "mother" me. I feel her love daily even if she is not right beside me. I love her and miss her. I am grateful for the few months I had with her and I will cherish them forever.

Eliza Jane Elcock, 9 years old, Mesa, AZ

10960

This is my mother, Nina Kirkland. She was only 3 years old when she was diagnosed with Polio. She was told she would never be able to do many things in her life like: dancing, have children, etc. She proved them all wrong! She did drill team in high school, drove a bus for 10 years for the handicapped children, and gave birth to 6 children. She is a "mother" to her ward; she cares for many with Alzheimer's and other handicaps. She drives older women to church, appointments, and other functions, all the while never complaining of her aches and pains. She is always serving those around her. I love her so, my children cherish her, and countless others are forever grateful for her.

Lonnie Braby, Mapleton, Utah

10961

As a teen in Arizona, being raised by a dad who was not active in the church and a stepmother of another faith, I found that hanging around my friend Kathi Evan's house was a very different experience for me—different in a good way. Sister Evans was also a fearless (and seemingly tireless) girl’s camp leader who could always be counted on. She gave us an example of a loving wife and mother who honored and fully implemented the gospel in her life, and I believe that made a huge difference in my life. 

Joanie Cole

10962

I met my “Extra Mom” when I was about 22 years old. My “Extra Mom” is such an incredible person that it is hard to put into words. She has well over a dozen “extra kids” that she has been a mom for, besides her own three children. She used to say that she “collects” kids, and many of us were blessed to live in her home for a while. She taught me what unconditional love is and loved me in spite of me. She taught me how a family should act and treat each other. What she has done for me and others has had a generational effect that will never end.  There is hardly a day that goes by that I do not thank God for my Extra Mom!

Debbie Spoons, Springville, Utah

10964

My biological mother, who raised me until I turned 17 and got married, hated me and never missed an opportunity to remind me that I was a worthless curse in her life. The Lord saw fit to provide me with one of my greatest blessings—Anne Solum—when the army transferred my husband to Augusta, GA. John Solum and his sweet wife, Anne, opened their home, arms and heart my family. They first "adopted" our kids, who instantly took to calling them Grandma and Grandpa, and then at some point along the way, they penetrated my damaged heart and I was calling them mom and dad as naturally as if I always had. Eventually, I had the blessing of actually being sealed to them as their daughter. I am grateful for our knowledge of the gospel, for the restored priesthood and for the temple ordinances that allow us to be eternal families.

Gale Kurschner

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