Barbara A. Worthen

Logan, Utah: Barbara A. Worthen died Friday, July 15, 2011 at the Logan Regional Hospital of a sudden, profound stroke at age 72. Family, friends, neighbors, ward/stake members, and medical personnel who have assisted her during her courageous and patient decades while she struggled with multiple serious illnesses will know what a blessing it was for her to pass so quickly and painlessly.
Barbara was born in Heber City July 31, 1938, the daughter of Ross Allen and Mae Blackley; both of them preceded her in death. Her only sibling, William R. Allen (Sharon) resides in Sandy, UT.
Barbara married her husband, Blaine R. Worthen, January 16, 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple after waiting faithfully for him to return from an LDS mission to Australia. They are the parents of three children: Jeffrey A. Worthen (Julie), Lynette W. Penrod (Larry), and Bradley W. Worthen (Angie), all of Kaysville.
During her first bout with cancer in ’79, Barbara wondered if she would live to see her children marry. Instead, she lived to know, love, and be an example of goodness and courage to 11 grandchildren (and spouses) – Angela (Rob) Hansen, Kari (Kyle) Forbush, Ryan (JaNae) Worthen, Joshua (Cambria) Penrod, Matthew (Lindsay) Worthen, Cami (Spencer) Hess, Emilee Penrod, Nicole Worthen, Taya Worthen, Kade Worthen and Tori Worthen, and 8 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband and all of their posterity.
Barbara worked as an executive secretary and then as a stay-at-home mom, typing theses and dissertations so that her husband could complete his education while raising their young family. Because of pressures in obtaining his Ph.D. and subsequent travel in his career, she often did so singlehandedly over many years. As “empty nesters,” she enjoyed enormously their traveling together throughout much of the world.
Barbara was a life-long learner, savoring subjects from Shakespeare to natural sciences, and was always abreast of current events, even from a hospital bed. She was a marvelous homemaker, cook, and seamstress, progressing from sewing clothes for her children, to knitting for grandchildren, to silk-ribbon embroidery that was pure artistry with a needle. Modest, nearly shy, she never could be convinced to exhibit her talents. All of her family grieved when her health declined to where she could no longer do her signature holiday meals, table settings, and decorations. In addition, her diligent studies in genealogy led to her serving not only her own family but also as Director of Training at the Cache Family History Center.
Those who knew Barbara well know the depth of her soul, her keenness of intellect, the richness and range of her humor, and the size and goodness of her heart. She loved all of God’s creations and lamented man’s despoiling any of them. Above all she loved her Savior and the Atonement, which helped her forgive the offenses of others. Descendent of LDS handcart pioneers, she made her “Sweetwater Crossings” bravely and trudged up her “Rocky Ridges” uncomplainingly. She never flagged in her faith in her Lord, or in her testimony of His restored church in which she served. In addition to her services as a leader in LDS Relief Society and other auxiliaries, she was called to lead over 100 unpaid LDS missionaries in accomplishing two great works for the LDS Church: first, to digitize the Church’s massive “four-generation” genealogy database, and then to untangle and correct British royalty records so as to provide an accurate genealogy for all those who trace their roots back to British nobility.
She would extend her thanks to her doctors and all who attended her during frequent surgeries and stays at Logan Regional and CVS Hospitals, the Logan Nursing Home, and related out-patient services. We’ve loved you guys but have so enjoyed having her live happily at home – her favorite location – these past nine months, to enjoy visits from family and dear friends and return to attending church services as her pain allowed.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lundstrom Park Chapel at 1260 North 1600 East in Logan, Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary at 34 E. Center Street in Logan, and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Kaysville City Cemetery in Kaysville, Utah. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net .