Myrna G. Livsey

1934-2022

Myrna Giraud Livsey, a Provo native and a long-time former resident of Salt Lake City, died January 11 in Spanish Fork, Utah, after a short stay in a care center due to a lingering illness. She was 88. Born July 21, 1934, to Jean Joseph and Ada Irene Giraud, Myrna lost her father when she was eight. Even though money was tight for the family, she grew up in a loving home with her mom, sisters and brother. Myrna also lived near many cousins, who she felt were like a second set of siblings. She attended Provo public schools, graduating from Provo High in 1952.

Myrna moved to Salt Lake City as a young adult and began working in the Fox Intermountain Theaters’ office on Main Street. There she met Lyle Livsey, who was also working in the motion-picture industry. They married in 1961 and moved into their Sugar House home that same year, a place where they raised three sons. Lyle and Myrna were married for 45 years, Lyle passing in 2006. She continued living in the family home until 2015, when she moved to Mapleton, Utah, to live with her youngest son’s family. They exhibited great care and concern for her during the final eight years of her life.

Myrna was an excellent pianist and organist, practicing and playing at an early age. In high school, she learned Gregg shorthand, a talent she cultivated for more than 70 years. Numerous members of the Wasatch Second Ward received copies of their children’s sacrament meeting baby blessings that Myrna typed from the shorthand she took during the blessings. For many years, she also faithfully served her stake’s patriarch, typing out from recordings patriarchal blessings for Hillside Stake members. She was also an accomplished singer, sharing her musical abilities in church and at friends’ and neighbors’ funerals, where she often sang or played the organ.

It should be noted that her musical talents did not trickle down to any of her three sons despite her best and dedicated efforts.

She loved doing crossword puzzles, watching “Jeopardy!” and was a faithful viewer of “Music and the Spoken Word” each Sunday, occasionally attending a performance in person. She was also a big fan of “Murder, She Wrote” and 1970s and ’80s detective shows, especially those with one-word names. We’re looking at you McCloud, Mannix, Cannon, Ironside and—OK, two names—Barnaby Jones.

Myrna was a stay-at-home mom until her children had grown. In 1987, she began working for IDFL, a company owned by family friends. She later accepted an office job in the University of Utah’s chemistry department. She enjoyed her time at the U. despite—owing to her Provo roots—always remaining a passionate and loyal BYU sports fan. She definitely knew who to call if she needed tickets.

As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Myrna taught the gospel in her home despite having a husband who was not active in the church. She served wherever she was called and insisted the family always pay tithing despite not earning a paycheck herself. She especially enjoyed serving the Primary children and spoke fondly of the year the Days of ’47 Children’s Parade committee selected the Wasatch Second Ward to build a float, with the children participating in the parade. As Primary president at the time, she was in charge of that production, something that made her at once nervous and happy. Myrna had the ability to make many friends in whatever capacity she was called to serve and worked diligently at maintaining those church-calling relationships, and many others, until the end of her life.

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, sister, Margaret Mikkelsen, and brother, LeRoy Giraud. She is survived by her older sister, Geraldine Scott, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and three sons: Larry (Lindsey) of Phoenix, Arizona; Laury (Monica) of Jacksonville, Florida; and Clark (Stephanie) of Mapleton, Utah. She is blessed with six grandchildren: Jacob (Kaleigh), Daniel (Amanda), Nathan (Jane), Christine (fiancée Brian Ortega), Brooks and Spencer, and two great-grandsons, Olyver and Henry.

We look back on Myrna’s life as one well-lived. She was devoted to her family, friends and her church and was never shy about sharing her talents with others.

The family will hold a memorial service on Tuesday, January 17, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary. At noon, friends and loved ones may visit, preceding the funeral, which begins at 1 p.m. The mortuary is located at 3401 South Highland Drive, 84106 in Millcreek, Utah. To view the service live or via recording, click https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY3Mzc3MTc1OTIzMDQwOSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==