BEVERLY JEAN WHITE

1928-2021

“A Pioneer in Women’s Rights”

Our dear mother passed away May 24, 2021 in Taylorsville, Utah of a long well lived life. She was 92 years young.

“Bev” as everyone knew her, was the middle child, born between two brothers. She was born to Helene and Gustave Larson on September 28, 1928 in Salt Lake City. Her early years were spent frolicking on Dresden Place near Trolley Square. She and her friends often played hide and

seek in the trolley car barn on the corner of 700 East. She loved it there. She made many meaningful lifetime friends in her early youth. She affectionately referred to them to the very end.

Her mother Helene suddenly died when Bev was only 12 years old. Bev’s teenage years were spent living with her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Martin Dunn in Tooele. She graduated from Tooele High School with her “Horrible 13” girlfriends. There she met Floyd and was married in 1947 after he returned from World War II. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 5 children and were married for 55 years.

Life was always an adventure for Bev. The original “multitasker” she wrangled 5 young children from birth to college graduations and marriages, a never-ending church schedule and was always passionate about her politics.

Bev loved every aspect of the political spectrum. She helped elect Floyd to the Tooele City Council and her father-in-law, Bish White, to the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office several times. She was proud to be a Democrat and there has never been a moment in her life she hasn’t loved this great country. An American Flag has flown in her front yard for decades. The neighbors affectionately called her home “The White House” at 122 Russell Avenue.

She became Utah’s longest serving woman legislator in the House of Representatives. During those 22 years she was chairwoman of the Social Services Committee and sponsored the ERA Amendment in Utah. That was an exciting year, especially for Dad! She was Utah’s first woman to be appointed to the Board of Pardons at the Utah State Prison. Bev was the first Utahn to receive the distinguished Eleanor Roosevelt Award in 1994. Bev has attended more National Democratic Conventions than any person in Utah’s history. She became an expert on everything from hazardous waste to the hospitalization needs for all Utahns. She later helped establish Utah State University’s satellite campus in Tooele. The school awarded her an Honorary Doctorate’s Degree in 2017. Bev championed every worthy cause. Bev did it all being an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her mission is now complete.

In her spare time Bev loved to golf and take an occasional (very) horseback ride with Dad!

She is survived by her children, Susie (John) Morris, Douglas (Carolyn) White, Wendy (David) McCleery, her brother Steve (Cheryl) Larson, son-in-law Mike Cavaness, daughter-in-law Erin Petrizzo, sister-in-law Jean Larson, 13 happy and appreciative grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Her husband Floyd White, daughter Robyn Cavaness, son David Scott White, grandson Ryan White and brother Robert Larson predeceased her.

Services: There will be a viewing Thursday, June 3, 2021 between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm at Tate Mortuary, 110 South Main, Tooele, Utah. The funeral service will be Friday, June 4, 2021 with a viewing between 9:30 am and 10:45 am and the service beginning at 11:00 am at the Tooele 1st Ward, 253 South 200 East, Tooele, Utah.