Alphabetical Alumni
Broadhurst, Willis

Broadhurst, Willis

Willis Broadhurst

Class of 1917. Willis Broadhurst. Graduated from Brigham Young High School in 1917. Source: 1917 BYU Banyan yearbook, BYH section, pages 82-88.

Brockbank, Allen Brent

Brockbank, Allen Brent
Farmington, Utah US

Brent and Anne Brockbank

Class of 1955. A. Brent Brockbank. Senior Class Social Chair. Football, Basketball, Track, Lettermen, Band, Chorus, French Club, Thespians President, Bookkeeping Team, Readings, Short Plays, Children's Theater, Honor Roll. ~ ~ ~ ~ Brent first married Kathryn Dee Taylor, lived in Holister, California. They had eight children. School, mission, Church work, family, raising rabbits, cliumbing mountains. His parents: Dr. Allen Grant Brockbank, DDS, married Zina Elizabeth Clayson [BYH Class of 1923] in 1928 in Salt Lake City. Dr. & Mrs. Brockbank had the following children: Dr. Grant Clayson (Joan) Brockbank [BYH Class of 1949] of Salt Lake City; Dr. A. Brent (the late Kathryn Taylor) Brockbank [BYH Class of 1955] of Hollister, California. Kathryn Taylor Brockbank, born 11 September 1941, Provo, Utah, died in a tragic accident on February 5, 1985, in Hollister, California. Her interment, Provo City Cemetery. Her parents: Lynn Dixon Taylor & Celestia Johnson Taylor [BYH Class of 1921 & BYH Faculty member]. ~~ After 18 years as single dad, Brent second married Anne Romney, BYH Class of 1955. He retired from Dentistry in 1999. Between them they have Brent's 8 children and Anne's 7 children. @2005 ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY: Allen Brent Brockbank passed away on February 9, 2016 in Bountiful, Utah. Brent was born to Allen Grant and Zina Brockbank of Spanish Fork, Utah on April 25, 1937. Brent had a very happy childhood. He was an avid Boy Scout. He played the piano, loved to perform on stage and in debate, participated in track and field, and played on the football team. While attending BY High, he, along with dear friends, started the famous Blowhard Bottle Band. Brent fondly remembers his time at BY High and the friendships he had there. Brent graduated in the BY High Class of 1955. At age 19, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Manchester, England. While attending BYU, he met Kathryn Dee Taylor, and they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 17, 1961. After graduating from BYU, he earned his DDS from the University of the Pacific and practiced dentistry in San Jose, California for 35 years. Kathryn passed away in 1985 in a tragic car accident, and Brent raised his 8 children as a single father. He was so proud all 8 children graduated from college and were married in the temple. After moving to Utah following his retirement in 1999, he married Gretta Anne Romney [BY High Class of 1955] in the Jordan, Utah Temple on July 9, 2002. Brent loved serving in the Young Men's organization in many capacities and was a legendary scout master. His rendition of "The Cremation of Sam Magee" was something every young man he served knew well. He also served as a counselor in the San Jose Stake Presidency and had many wonderful experiences with the youth in that capacity. He served as Bishop of the Hollister, California Ward and is still remembered by its long-time and former residents. He was exceptional at holding an audience's attention, speaking from his heart, and giving sound counsel. Brent's interests included mountaineering, raising rabbits, wood carving, painting, theater, dramatic readings, and his family. Brent was an eternal optimist. He loved life. Brent is survived by his children: Allen and Janice Brockbank, Anne and Wayne Sackley, Lynne and Dave Mower, Laura and Leroy Pertab, Becky and Brandon Johnson, Dixon and Leanne Brockbank, Mary-Kathryn and Alex McKinlay, and David and Rebeca Brockbank. He adored his 28 grandchildren and looked for every opportunity to expand the truth of their accomplishments. He is also survived by his older brother, Grant. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kathryn, and his second wife Anne. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the LDS Willow Wood Chapel, 1298 N. 400 W. Centerville, Utah. Friends may visit the family on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. Bountiful and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 S. State St. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com [Deseret News,February 11, 2016]

Brockbank, Grant Clayson
2062 Emerson Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-2616 US

Grant [& Joan] Brockbank
  • Work: 801-364-4151
  • Home: 801-581-0419

Class of 1949. Grant C. Brockbank. Basketball, Football, Letterman, Opera, Chorus. He graduated from BYH on May 26, 1949. Source: 1949 BYH Graduation Exercises Program. ~ ~ ~ ~ Grant married Joan. His parents: Dr. Allen Grant Brockbank, DDS, married Zina Elizabeth Clayson [BYH Class of 1923] in 1928 in Salt Lake City. Two sons: Dr. Grant Clayson (Joan) Brockbank [BYH Class of 1949] of Salt Lake City; Dr. A. Brent (the late Kathryn Taylor) Brockbank [BYH Class of 1955] of Hollister, California. Alternate email: gjbrock@sisna.com (See Grant and Joan's photo on Class of 1949 reunion page for 2003.) @2010 ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY: rant Clayson Brockbank, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 24, 2021 in Provo, Utah. Grant was born on June 25, 1931 to Allen Grant and Zina Elizabeth Clayson Brockbank at their home in American Fork, Utah. At age 2, the family moved to Spanish Fork. When Grant was in 6th grade, his family moved to Provo where he attended junior high and high school at B.Y. High. He played basketball, baseball and football at B.Y. High School. When Grant was 11, his mother was called to serve on the Primary General Board of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in this calling for 22 years and Grant would listen to all the lessons she wrote and let her know if they were good or not. When she would go to Salt Lake City on Thursday afternoons for her meetings, Grant worked with his dad in the garden and learned to love gardening. Grant also took an interest in cooking and tried out many gourmet recipes, especially treats. He was best known for his caramel popcorn, divinity, mint sticks, chocolate-covered caramels, and "Brock-a-joys." Over the years he would help his grandchildren make mint sticks for their weddings. Grant learned how to do magic tricks as a Cub Master in Scouting, and throughout his life, he could put on quite the magic show. His last performance was at a family reunion in June. After high school, Grant attended Brigham Young University for one quarter, then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England States Mission. Upon his return to BYU, he met the love of his life, Joan Webster Dixon. He worked as a gear jammer (bus driver) at the Utah Parks for two summers, and lucky for him, Joan worked at Zion National Park. Two years later, Grant and Joan both graduated from BYU with B.S. degrees, and four days later, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1955. They returned again for a third summer working in the Utah Parks, this time as a married couple. Grant graduated from the University of Oregon Dental School with his DMD in 1959. He worked as a dentist at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force. In 1963, they moved their growing family to Salt Lake City, Utah where Grant set up his dental practice. His professional career as a dentist spanned 40½ years, while he and Joan raised their four children. Throughout their marriage, Grant and Joan worked well together and supported each other in their various endeavors. For the last 14 years of Grant's dental practice, Joan served as his receptionist. Grant and Joan served an 18-month mission together for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Winter Quarters Visitor Center in Omaha, Nebraska. They also served a mission at the Church Employment Center and Welfare Square for 7½ years. They were well-known in their neighborhood for making and delivering tasty candies and cookies to their neighbors and friends for Valentine's Day and Christmas. They also shared many vegetables from their garden each year. They loved being together and serving others. When they weren't busy serving, they enjoyed traveling to many destinations throughout the world. After 60 years of marriage, Grant's sweetheart, Joan, passed away on August 15, 2015. Three years later, Grant moved to Provo, Utah to be closer to family. Grant enjoyed photography, gardening, making whole wheat bread, chocolates, and other candies, playing tennis, and watching BYU sports, especially football. Grant will be remembered for his loving heart, storytelling, chocolate making, magic tricks, phone call chats, and his strong faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. He was positive and pleasant to be around. He had a witty sense of humor and a keen mind. His family was very important to him, and he and Joan were very involved in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He served faithfully his entire life as an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a great example of enduring to the end gracefully. Grant is survived by his four children: Harold (Lori), Brenda Walton (Jim), Elizabeth Hoffman (Curtis), and Roger (Kristina); 21 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Allen Brent Brockbank, and one great-grandson, Shad Brockbank. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at the Edgewood Ward Building, 3511 N. 180 E., Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held that morning from 10:30 - 11:30 at the same location before the funeral. Interment at Provo City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS General Missionary Fund or Humanitarian Fund. Funeral Directors: Russon Mortuary. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com. Link to view the funeral- https://youtube.com/channel/UC66gLIFyNkdP5Qr_71REwuA - Deseret News, August 27, 2021 HIS WIFE'S OBITUARY: Joan Webster Dixon Brockbank, age 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 15, 2015. Joan was born November 25, 1932 to Douglass and Gwen Webster Dixon. She was raised in Payson, Utah. When Joan was at the tender age of 13, her mother passed away. She was blessed to have a wonderful second mother when her father married Beth Call. Working in her Daddy’s grocery store, she learned the value of hard work, service to others, and thriftiness. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Home Economics Education. While at BYU she met her sweetheart, Grant Clayson Brockbank. They courted while attending BYU, and working summers at Zion National Park. They were married June 7, 1955 in the Salt Lake Temple and recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Joan taught Home Economics in Portland, Oregon while Grant attended the University of Oregon Dental School. They resided in Fairbanks, Alaska while Grant served as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force before establishing their home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Joan’s life was filled with service in ward and stake auxiliaries in the LDS Church, as an officer in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and the PTA. Grant and Joan served LDS missions together at the Winter Quarters Visitors Center in Omaha, Nebraska and 7 1/2 years at the LDS Employment Center at Welfare Square. Joan is survived by her husband Grant; their 4 children, Harold (Lori), Brenda (James Walton), Elizabeth (Curtis Hoffman), Roger (Kristina); 21 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; brothers, James Dixon (Aloha), Sterling Dixon (Jan); and sisters, Shirley (Wendell West), Elizabeth (Gary Schroeder), and Leslie (Lamont Crabtree). She was preceded in death by one great-grandson. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Salt Lake Foothill 7th Ward (2215 E. Roosevelt Ave.) A viewing will be held Friday, August 21 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the same location, and Saturday 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. before the funeral. Interment at Provo City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Humanitarian Fund or the LDS Church General Missionary Fund. Funeral Directors Russon Brothers Mortuary. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com Source.

Brockbank, Hazel

Brockbank, Hazel

Hazel Brockbank

Class of 1915. Hazel Brockbank. She received a BYH Normal Certificate in 1915. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 8, page 368. ~ ~ ~ ~ Collegiate Grad of BYU, Class of 1927. Hazel Brockbank. She received a BS Degree in Education in 1927. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 8, page 368.

Brockbank, Isaac Elmer

Brockbank, Isaac Elmer

Isaac Brockbank

Brigham Young High School, Class of 1907. Isaac Elmer Brockbank. He received a Normal Diploma. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B.Y. Academy: Book 1, Page 181; Book 2, Page 9. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1907. Isaac E. Brockbank, a Normal graduate. BYU [& BYH] Class of 1907 Listing of BYH Normal, High School, Commercial, Music, Agriculture, and Arts & Trades graduates. Source: Brigham Young University & Normal Training School, Catalogue & Announcements, for 32nd Academic Year, 1907-1908, p. 136. ~ ~ ~ ~ Collegiate Grad of BYU, Class of 1915. Isaac E. Brockbank. He received an AB Degree in 1915. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 2, page 9.

Brockbank, J. Archie

Brockbank, J. Archie
Spanish Fork, Utah US

Archie Brockbank

Brigham Young High School Graduate, Class of 1908. J. Archie Brockbank of Spanish Fork, Utah. Source: 1908 BYH Commencement Program. ~ ~ ~ ~ Collegiate Grad of BYU, Class of 1916. J. Archie Brockbank. He received an AB Degree in 1916. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 3, page 160. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1908. J. Archie Brockbank, a Normal graduate. BYU [& BYH] Class of 1908 Listing of BYH Normal, High School, Commercial, Music, Agriculture, and Arts & Trades graduates. Source: Brigham Young University & Normal Training School, Catalogue & Announcements, for 33rd Academic Year, 1908-1909, pp. 128-130.

Brockbank, John

Brockbank, John

John Brockbank

BY Academy High School Class of 1889. John Brockbank received a Certificate: Bookkeeping. Source: Utah Enquirer, May 28, 1889.

Brockbank, Karl

Karl Brockbank

Class of 1938. Karl Brockbank. College Enrollment. Spent part of his high school years at Spanish Fork H.S.

Brockbank, Mark Joseph

Brockbank, Mark Joseph
Petaluma, California US

Mark and Helen Brockbank

Class of 1930. Mark J. Brockbank. Graduated from Brigham Young High School on Thursday, May 29, 1930. Source: The Evening Herald, Provo, Utah, May 28, 1930. ~ ~ ~ ~ Mark Joseph Brockbank was born on July 18, 1912 in Spanish Fork, Utah. His parents were Joseph Archibald Brockbank and Fern W. Lewis Brockbank. Mark married Helen McAllister Cook, daughter of Joseph Wolcott Cook and Elizabeth Snow (Eliza) Bryson Cook. Mark J. Brockbank died on August 17, 1982 in California. ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY: Brockbank, Mark J., Petaluma. Died August 17, 1982, in Petaluma of heart disease, aged 70. Graduate of Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, 1939. Licensed in California in 1946. Dr. Brockbank was a member of the Sonoma County Medical Association. ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS WIFE: Mrs. Helen Cook Brockbank received her M.L.S. degree from the University of Washington, Seattle, in June 1971 and has returned to the staff of the University of Utah Medical Sciences Library as Circulation and Audiovisual Librarian. She had been a circulation and interlibrary loans assistant with the Library since 1966. ~ ~ ~ ~ THEIR SON: New Mission Presidents, March 2006, LDS Church News: Joseph Wayne Brockbank, 59, Nigeria Uyo Mission; Ann Arbor 2nd Ward, Ann Arbor Michigan Stake; gospel doctrine teacher; former bishop, counselor in a bishopric, high councilor and missionary in the South German Mission. Professor of Business. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Mark Joseph Brockbank and Helen Cook McAllister Brockbank. Married Nancy Ellena Bloomquist, three children. A Relief Society teacher, Sister Brockbank is a former stake and ward Young Women president, member of the stake Relief Society board and missionary in the South German Mission. Born in Seattle, Washington, to Stanford Freeman and Berenice May Ryan Bloomquist.

Brockbank, Mary
2331 Delta Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84109

Mary Olson

Class of 1945. @2001

Brockbank, Wallace W.

Brockbank, Wallace W.

Wallace Brockbank

Collegiate Grad of BYU, Class of 1922. Wallace W. Brockbank. He received a BS Degree in Education in 1922. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 9, page 136.

Brockbank, Wells T.

Brockbank, Wells T.

Wells Brockbank

Brigham Young High School, Class of 1909. Wells T. Brockbank. He received a High School Diploma. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University (BYU Records Office), Book 4, Page 17.

Broderick, Delia

Broderick, Delia

Delia Broderick

Class of 1920. Delia Broderick. She received a BYH Business Diploma in 1920. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 10, page 138.

Bromley, LaVonne

Bromley, LaVonne

LaVonne Bromley

Class of 1923. LaVonne Bromley. She received a BYH Normal Diploma in 1923. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 10, page 364.

Bromley, Raymond

Bromley, Raymond

Raymond Bromley

Class of 1916. Raymond Bromley. He received a BYH Normal Certificate in 1916. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 9, page 134.

Bronson, Vie

Bronson, Vie

Vie Bronson

Class of 1895? Vie Bronson (female) appears in a photograph held by the BYU Archives purporting to be "the graduating Class of 1895" (UAP 2 Folder 038) high achool or collegiate class? She does not appear on any of the newspaper lists of collegiate or high school graduates for 1895.

Brooks, Gordon Earl

Brooks, Gordon Earl
, Texas US

Gordon Brooks

Class of 1952. Gordon Earl Brooks. Spanish Club.

Brooks, Jack Joseph

Brooks, Jack Joseph
Hurricane, Utah US

Jack and Julie Brooks

Class of 1957. Jack Brooks. Football, Track, Baseball, Lettermen Vice President, Quill & Scroll, Yld Cat Newspaper Reporter, Gun Club, Chorus, Junior Prom Committee, Library Staff, Graduation Committee. ~ ~ ~ ~ Jack Joseph Brooks was born January 11, 1939 in Provo, Utah. His parents are John Wesley Brooks and Ida Mildred Jensen Brooks. He died on March 11, 2005 in Hurricane, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY: Hurricane, Utah: Jack Joseph Brooks, age 66, lost his battle with cancer, Friday, March 11, 2005, in Hurricane. He was born on January 11, 1939, in Provo, Utah, a son of John Wesley Brooks and Ida Jensen Brooks. He married Julie Lynn Erickson 25 years ago, and their marriage was solemnized in the St. George Temple, May 11, 2004. Jack loved and lived life to the fullest, with family and golf being his passions. He was employed as the Director of Property Acquisitions for Flying J Inc. for the past 10 years. Surviving family members include his wife, Julie Lynn Brooks, of Hurricane, Utah; son, Scott (Barbara) Brooks, of Sandy, Utah; daughter, Tracy Ann Brooks, of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren: Emma Brooks, Benjamin Brooks, and John (Rebecca) Haight, of Centerville; great-grandchildren: Jackson Haight, Amelia Haight, and Daniel Haight. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Wesley Brooks and Ida Jensen Brooks. Memorial services were held Monday, March 14, 2005, at the Hurricane 11th Ward Chapel in Hurricane, Utah. [Provo Daily Herald, March 2005].

Brooks, May

May Brooks

Class of 1947.

Brooks, Melvin R.

Brooks, Melvin R.
Provo, Utah

Melvin and Mary Brooks

Faculty & Staff 1950s - including at least 1955-58. BYU BA 1944. Seminary Teacher and Seminary Principal. Married Mary Richmond. Brooks, Melvin R., born 11 December 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and died 10 December 1973, Provo, Utah. Interment, Provo City Cemetery, Block 4 Lot 72AC. Parents: Charles R. Brooks and Elizabeth Sundstrom Brooks.

Brooksby, Arland

Brooksby, Arland

Arland and Kezia Brooksby

Class of 1932. Arland Brooksby. Graduated from Brigham Young High School on Thursday, June 2, 1932. Source: The Evening Herald, Provo, Utah, Wednesday, June 1, 1932. ~ ~ ~ ~ Joseph Arland Brooksby was born October 12, 1911 to Joseph and Hermoine Pratt Brooksby at Fredonia, Arizona. He attended Fredonia schools and completed most of his high schoolwork at Cedar City, Utah. He also attended and graduated from Brigham Young High School in Provo, Utah, in the Class of 1932. On September 25, 1936 he married Kezia Ann Stark in the St. George LDS Temple and this union was blessed with 5 children, the first son, Barrie Arland, dying in infancy. Arland entered in the garage business in Fredonia with his cousin W. Oscar Brooksby. During World War II, he moved to California and worked in aircraft plants. After the war he returned to Fredonia and continued the Main Motor Company with Oscar. He later sold his interest. He then built a station and became distributor of Shell products, later changing to Conoco Oil Products. When Fredonia was incorporated as a town in 1956, Arland was the first appointed mayor and then was elected and served as mayor for eight years. While mayor, he was instrumental in getting streets and sidewalks graveled and oiled, the firehouse built, a Town Park started and the swimming pool built. He was active in Scouting and earned the rank of Eagle Scout while a young man. In 1965 he was given the assignment as Bishop of Fredonia LDS Ward and held that position at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, three sons, Lane Joseph Brooksby, Salt Lake City, Utah; Terrell Craig Brooksby, Tempe, Arizona; and Neil Stark Brooksby, a student at ASC in Tempe, Arizona; one daughter, Mrs. Bruce (Rene Brooksby) Bowen of Salt Lake City; and two grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Merrill William Brooksby, Cupertino, California; and Dr. Lyle Orson Brooksby, Las Vegas, Nevada; four sisters, Mrs. Virgil (Hermoine Brooksby) Wietzel, Fontana, California; Mrs. Wesley (Virginia Brooksby) Dennett, Springdale, Arizona; Mrs. George (Lenora Brooksby) Eidemiller, Mar Vista, California; and Mrs. Ortho (Bernice Brooksby) Christensen, Eureka, Utah. Arland died on January 10, 1969 in Fredonia, Arizona. [Southern Utah News, Kanab, Utah, January 16, 1969]

Brooksby, Oscar

Brooksby, Oscar

Oscar Brooksby

Class of 1925. Oscar Brooksby. Source: 1925 BYU Banyan yearbook, BYH section.

Brough, DeVere [R. DeVere]
4173 Monroe Blvd
Ogden, Utah 84403 US

DeVere and LaRee Brough
  • Work: 801-393-9103

Class of 1949. R. DeVere Brough [or DeVere R. Brough]. Football, Lettermen, Thespians, Opera, Chorus. He graduated from BYH on May 26, 1949. Source: 1949 BYH Graduation Exercises Program. ~ ~ ~ ~ (See photo of DeVere and LaRee on Class of 1949 reunions page.)

Brough, William C.

Brough, William C.
Dividend, Utah US

William Brough

BYH Class of 1924 ~ Honorary. William C. Brough of Dividend, Utah. He is listed as a 3rd Year (junior) member of the BYH Class of 1924. Some other students similarly listed were actually 4th Year (seniors) in the Class of 1924. Background sources: BYU/BYH Annual Catalogues for the School Years 1923-24, 1924-25, and 1925-26.

Brown, Amy Cassandra

Brown, Amy Cassandra
Provo, Utah US

Amy and Richard R. Lyman

BY Academy (High School or Collegiate?) Class of 1891. Amy Brown. Faculty & Staff. Amy Brown, Training School, 1888-1894. She married Richard R. Lyman, BYA High School Class of 1889, BYA Collegiate Class of 1891. Amy Brown appears in a photo of the first faculty to serve under Principal Benjamin Cluff in 1892. ~ ~ ~ ~ Amy Brown Lyman was born in Pleasant Grove on Feb. 7, 1872, and died in Salt Lake City on Dec. 5, 1959. She was the eighth General Relief Society president, serving from 1940-1945. She also directed the Relief Society's social services department and served in various welfare agencies through both World Wars and the Great Depression. An author and a teacher, she collected historical documents and kept minutes for the Relief Society. She served in the Utah Legislature from 1923-1924. ~ ~ ~ ~ BIOGRAPHY: Amy Cassandra Brown was born February 7, 1872, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Her parents are John Brown and Margaret Zimmerman Brown. Amy grew up to serve as General Relief Society President during a changing world, where she would influence the women of the LDS Church during World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. There was much disease and poor medical care during Amy’s youth; many loved ones died, or became invalid because of this, including Amy’s mother. Her mother Margaret received improper care while giving childbirth, and suffered ill effects the rest of her life. Because of this, she read medical books and learned how to treat everyone in their small town. Margaret’s determination influenced Amy to want better care for the individual. Amy learned to love books through her father, John. She attended Brigham Young Academy, where she formed a close association with Karl Maeser, Principal of the Academy, because she lived with his family for a time. She met her husband, Richard Lyman, at school. She continued her studies and taught while Richard attended graduate school in Michigan where no married students were allowed. Finally, they married and moved to Chicago, Illinois for continued schooling. While there, Amy took a sociology class and began volunteering at Hull House. She formed a friendship for life with its founder, Jane Addams. Social problems became Amy’s life focus from this time forward. After finishing Richard’s schooling in Ithaca, New York, they moved back to Salt Lake City. A short time later, she was called to serve on the Relief Society Board where she was introduced to Bathsheba W. Smith, a member of the original Relief Society, and Emmeline B. Wells, noted for her long work with the Women’s Exponent publication. Amy would become the bridge between the changing generations of Relief Society. It was Amy who organized the offices of the Relief Society with more staff, improved reporting procedures, and compiling the records of the Relief Society history. She was also involved with creating the first lesson plans that would be published in the Relief Society Bulletin, and later the Magazine, serving as an editor for a few years. She felt education lessons and handicrafts would uplift the soul and add meaning to a woman’s life during these hard times. During the world wars, Amy was there with her expertise in social welfare, teaching and training. She stated, “Prevention of poverty, disease, and crime is much better and much cheaper than relief or cure. Modern welfare calls for getting at the very roots of the trouble. The suggestive steps in family welfare are relief of existing distress, prevention of new distress, and the raising of human life to its highest level.” She believed Relief Society was at the heart of relieving human suffering. Called by President Joseph F. Smith, Amy served as the first director of the Church’s newly formed social welfare department. She also served in the Utah Legislature, furthering her humanitarian social action. It is thanks to her that there is a Mental Hospital in Provo, and a mentally handicapped training school in American Fork. Her husband, Richard R. Lyman, was called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles while Amy was serving as General Relief Society secretary. While serving as a counselor to Louise Y. Robison, Richard was called to preside over the European Mission, and she was set apart to serve the women and children throughout the mission. Impending war brought them home early, in 1938. In 1940, she was called as Relief Society president. In 1943, personal tragedy touched Amy’s life when it was discovered that Richard had a second wife, and was illegally trying to live the law of polygamy. He was excommunicated immediately. She struggled through her responsibilities as president, but after serving barely five years, she asked to be released. Here is the amazing thing: their marriage survived. They worked through it and Richard was eventually rebaptized and his priesthood was restored to him after he died. It is thanks to Amy Lyman that the LDS Church has a Family and Social Services department, that it has such a close association with the Red Cross, and that Welfare Services has the woman’s touch. Amy Brown Lyman provides a wonderful example of endurance through hardship, based upon the strength of her individual testimony. [Source: Elect Ladies and Women of Covenant]

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