Margery Bitter

Margery Louise Bitter
1928-2018

Our Beautiful and Wonderful Mother, Margery Louise Beard Bitter, passed peacefully in her home on April 3, 2018.

Margery was born to goodly parents, Joseph Edgar Beard and Theresa Edna Jensen, in Henefer, Summit County, Utah, in her grandparents, William Henry Beard and Charlotte Elizabeth Fawcett’s, home on June 26, 1928.  When she was about 2 years old, the family moved to Wanship, Summit County, Utah, where her father was principal of the 2-room schoolhouse.  They later moved to Coalville, Summit County, Utah.

Margery attended North Summit High School where she served as editor of the school newspaper and played the violin in the orchestra.  After graduation, she attended Brigham Young University.

Before marriage, she was employed at the County Extension (USDA) office, and, the First National Bank in Coalville.

She married Grant Bunderson Bitter 14 February 1947 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served, in her early teens, as organist in the Coalville Ward.  She also served as Primary secretary.  She was an accompanist and soloist on the piano and organ.  Other callings were:  Primary and Relief Society pianist, Ward organist for many years and in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, MIA and Primary Music Leader, Choir accompanist, Ward Primary President, Relief Society Counselor, Stake Relief Society and Primary Board Member, Teacher in Sunday School and Primary, Spiritual Living and Cultural Refinement Teacher in Relief Society, Teacher of Teacher Development, Ward Music Chairperson, Ward Newspaper Editor for 4 years, and Visiting Teacher since early adulthood.  She also served as a hostess and guide on Temple Square for 6 years and Member Locator at the Church Office Building for one year.

Margery was active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers as Vice-Captain, lesson leader and pianist in the Brighton Camp, and Marker Chairperson and pianist in the South Far East Company.

Service was given to the PTA while children were young and in school.

She was also an Election Judge for several years.

She earned the Golden Gleaner award and was a tremendous support to her husband, Grant, as he served as Bishop of the Glendale Park 1st and Cannon 2nd Ward, High Councilman, other Priesthood callings, and educational pursuits.  She was a proud 3 year survivor of Detroit, Michigan.

Devoted countless hours in family history research at the Family History Library, phone calls, letter writing, writing family histories and doing Temple ordinances.  Her great-grandparents, C.C.A. Christensen (Denmark) and Maren Fredrikke Petterson (Norway), Soren Peter Jensen and Maren Christensen (Denmark), Stephen Beard (England) and Mary Ann Roberts (Wales), and, Joseph and Mary Ann Stratford Fawcett, pioneers of the Church in New Zealand, all emigrated to the United States because of their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Loved history and travel about Utah and surrounding states, searching out historic places, buildings, ghost towns, and monuments.

Loved attending the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City, Hale Theatre, and Utah Festival Opera in Logan.

Those who have gone before:  her husband, Grant (1 July 2000); daughter, Colleen Addie (21 July 2003); brother, Melvin Joseph Beard; sister, Katherine Elaine Hadlock; her beloved parents, Joseph and Edna Beard, and, parents-in-law, Joseph E. Bitter, Ruth Melinda Bunderson Bitter, and Hattie Black Bitter.

Surviving her:  her children Marcia (Jim) King, Celia (Thomas) Hansen, Merrill Grant (Diane Emmerichs) Bitter, Whitney (Julie) Bitter, Kimball (Suzanne) Bitter, Warren (Ann) Bitter, Jennifer Bitter, and, Maureen (Steve) Ross; legions of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren all of whom she loved dearly; sisters Marian Osborne, Darlene (Dean) Fernelius, Bernice Good; and, brother, Glen (Elaine) Beard.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 7, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel, 2301 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 S.)  A visitation will be held Friday, April 6, 2018, at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 S.) from 6-8 p.m. and the day of the service at the church from 9:45-10:45 a.m.  Interment Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Engraved in her engagement and wedding rings:  Proverbs 31:10-31 and Ruth 1:16-17.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the LDS Church Humanitarian Fund, http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services .