Note from Ted and Suzanne Crowther

A celebration of Life:

On Feb. 7th we learned of the passing of our dear friend Pat Nielsen. Her funeral was Saturday the 14th. Her life has been an example of love, service, cheerfulness and a deep abiding faith and rejoicing in our Savior. We will miss our dear friend but we know that she will be busy serving the Lord on the other side and that her family will have a joyful reunion with her in the future.

Just one note from a member of our ward who attended her funeral. "A number of her former missionary companions were there including Bruce Hafen of the Seventy and Elder Keith McMullin of the presiding bishopric. Also, a sister who had served with her on the Primary general board. "

As we read this comment, we thought of the eternal blessings of serving a mission. All those years ago those young men and women she served with (including herself) have lived lives of faithfulness and have had the opportunity to bless the church world wide through their service in the Quorums of the Seventy and General Boards of the Church. How great this work of our Heavenly Father and what a privilege it is to serve.

Memories from Joan Stevens

We sat in the Relief Society room of the Mojave Lane chapel, listening to a recording of music of an Asian country in our cultural refinement lesson. Our teacher played it for us to acquaint us with some aspects of our Church members' lives in that country. To our Western ears it was a cacophony of unfamiliar instruments playing 5 tone melodies in strangely accented rhythms. Women looked at one another and made faces. Then some started to titter and giggle. Disaster was looming. When the short recording stopped, Pat Nielsen intervened, raised her hand and asked for just a few moments to do an experiment with the women. She went quickly to the front, picked up the chalk, and in a few seconds wrote out on the blackboard about four bars of two rhythms to be performed simultaneously. Then, turning to the women she asked them to take out either their car keys or a pen or pencil. One rhythmic line she rehearsed with those shaking their car keys, the other then rehearsed tapping their pen on a hymnal. Then we performed together, repeating it several times. Like magic our ears became accustomed to the rhythm and it became interesting. The women then asked to hear the recording again. This time there were no weird looks or giggles. The bridge of understanding had been built by Pat, and the sisters invited to gain appreciation and love for their sisters across the sea.

They were different, this family that rented the house across the street from the Nielsens and next to us. They were not from Utah, were not LDS, and were black. The father managed a drugstore, and the mother was the lady preacher at Rock Canyon Church. The three young boys rode their bikes all over the lawns, theirs and ours, and climbed the trees to watch all that went on over the fence.

Soon the telephone rang, and it was Pat on the other end of the line, inviting us for a barbecue with this family. We arranged a time, divided up tasks, and gathered on the Nielsens' deck on a warm summer evening. It was a lovely time we had together. The children ate and then went down to the back yard to play, while the adults lingered over second helpings and got better acquainted. By the end of the evening we had made new friends and a sense of peace and calm acceptance reigned, thanks to Pat's friendly and inclusive demeanor.

Remembering Pat from Elaine Fry

Sitting this morning listening to your family remembering aunt, mother and wife, I could not help but think about the many sweet moments that I have spent with Pat over the years. We often met at the edge of her yard or the edge of mine and caught up with what was new in each other's lives.

Today Earl commented that he associated Pat with sunshine. I think it was all of those times we have seen her planting marigolds in the spring or getting the flowerbeds ready for winter in the fall. We have missed her this past year and know that we will continue to miss her in the future.

I have always been annoyed that I am so short. I am the only short person in my family of origin. My sister is four inches taller than my 5'3". I never have felt conscious of being short though when I have stood talking to Pat or to Kent. They always have made me feel unconscious of anything but their warmth and friendship. One day as Pat and I were talking, she told me about meeting someone by chance who reminded her that the two of them had met years before. Pat paused and commented, "I don't know why it is that so many people that I meet only once or twice remember me." I smothered a chuckle and suppressed my grin. Pat was memorable just because of who she was, but even more memorable because she was a very attractive tall, blonde woman. I had no doubt in my mind why people met her once and remembered her. I know that I always will. She left her fingerprints of kindness on my soul.

Memories from Ted and Suzanne Crowther

We have a deep love and appreciation for Pat. She was one of the first to greet us when we moved into the Edgemont 5^th Ward 30 years ago. Our children were in junior high school, high school and the orchestras at Farrer Jr. High, Timpview High and the Utah Valley Youth Symphony together. Pat was Suzanne’s visiting teacher for many years and set a high standard which she has followed in her own visiting teaching.

Most of all we appreciate her wonderful cheerful spirit, bright smile, genuine love, sincere friendship and love of our Savior and His gospel. Everything she did she excelled in. She is Suzanne’s favorite choir director and music conductor. Because she conducted left-handed, it was much easier to follow her direction from the organ. It was a pleasure to play under her direction. It was also a joy to watch her teach and lead the primary children in singing. When she directed, they sang like angels.

Ted appreciates all of Kent’s and Pat’s work in genealogy. What wonderful examples they set for all of us. We have appreciated being part of their extended family as we were on her family email list and enjoyed the updates and thoughts Pat included in her monthly email messages to her family. It was a sweet way to stay connected as we are serving a mission in the Netherlands. We are sorry that we could not be there for her and for the family because of our being in the Netherlands, but we have been praying and will continue to pray for the family at this important time.

Truly, Pat has lived, loved and served well. We celebrate her life and are excited for her opportunities to continue to serve and love beyond the veil. We are privileged to be her friend.

Note from Susan Bybee

My family moved into the ward just last April and my husband passed away at the end of July, last summer. He had pancreatic cancer. I think that he became ill about the same time as your mom and though she was ill, she was always concerned for me and my family. And she was one of the first people to talk to me, to find me a seat in Relief Society, etc. when I was new. She is such a shining light to me and I must say I have not been as careful to check on her as I should have been. My condolences on what is to come and the change in your family. I think that your mom is one of the best people I have ever known - how they will rejoice to see her in paradise! You are so blessed to have her as your mother.

-Love, Susan Bybee