Here is a picture of my mother in her senior year of college before she married my father.
1926 to 2013
OBITUARY FOR JEAN RICHARDS DANCE
__________
The dance may have ended, but
her music and steps will stay with us forever.
Jean Richards Dance passed
away peacefully at her home in Bellevue, Washington, on April 19th,
2013. Born February 13th,
1926, in Garland, Utah, the third child of Elfie and Wilford Woodruff
Richards—pictures from her childhood show the mischievous, confident grin of a
girl raised on clean country air, good books, and limitless horizons. Always bright and curious, Jean attended college
at Utah State University where she graduated valedictorian. It was there
that she fell in love and married her sweetheart, David O. Dance, on October 8,
1947, in the Logan Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
Jean and David had seven
children together as they moved from Utah, to Idaho, to Washington—eventually
settling in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. Imagine the dance of a mother of seven! But dance she did, for the greatest joys in
her life revolved around her devoted husband, her family, her faith, and
service to the community. Mom was both
traditional and avant garde, and she brought her unique sensibility to
everything she did—from throwing creative parties for New York Life executives
to feeding fresh, experimental health foods to her children who often dreamed
of Wonder Bread. Family roadtrips were a
highlight each summer with no stops for fast food, no historical markers
missed, and full novels read to restless kids to help pass the time. Jean danced beautifully in and out of her
home!
Jean was also a devoted
friend, always ready to greet with a smile that engulfed her face. She loved
Christmas season as a chance to send cards and receive news of friends and
loved ones. Pre-dating Facebook (but embracing
it once it was invented!), she always tried to keep in touch with those she
loved and who loved her. Jean perfected
the social dance.
Diagnosed with M.S. 43 years
ago, Jean never let that setback define her.
Instead she re-wrote the book on how to live with the disease. Always believing that a breakthrough or cure
was just around the corner, she willed herself to be ready for it when it
came. Even as she lost the use of half
her body, she never stopped “dancing.”
And as her body grew tired, her spirit only grew stronger. She became a living example of the phrase
“You are what you think you are!”
Even with seven children and
thirty-three grandchildren, somehow she never missed their defining moments—big
or small. She attended a million
sporting events, music and dance recitals, Eagle projects, charity
fundraisers—you name it, she was there cheering. Even when standing on
her own two feet was no longer an option, Jean spun a mean wheelie dancing at
her grandchildren’s wedding receptions.
Selfless with her time and
knowledge, she was always engaged in helping others with their health
challenges. Her mind was strong, and her memory amazing; she spent a lifetime
learning something about everything, and then seeking out people she thought
might benefit from her insights.
In word and deed, Jean was a
faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. To Mom, life was a gift; love was
a dance. She showed us all how to live
right and dance well until the very end.
We’ll love and miss you, Mom!
Jean is survived by her
husband David Orin Dance, children: D. Richard Dance (Julienne), Alan R. Dance
(Julie), Linda Orme (Steve), Diane McDonald (Bill), John R. Dance (Sharla),
Anna Heimburger (Matthew), and her brother Lynn Richards (Bea). She has
33 grandchildren, 25 in-laws, and 40 great-grandchildren—and counting!
She is preceded in death by her loving parents, her sister Ruth Payne, her
brother Grant Richards, and her son Grant Russell Dance.
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