They ask, "What is in a name?" It seems to me
There is much that is unseen¬
Something of the divine, that symbolizes ones identity
in this life and all eternity.
There are names that stir the soul, when they fall upon the ear
Names that keep us free from all fear.
There are names we mention in reverent awe melodic and tender like a refrain and
Names of heroes that have become a part of our country's fame.
Names flashed on Broadway for all to see
Names that signify a high degree.
And just names of sweet simplicity like "Aunt Rye".
I have loved this name since the days of my youth,
And idolized its owner for her virtue, wisdom and truth
"Aunt Rye", it is such a homespun, humble name
No glamour or pretentiousness did its bearer ever claim.
Calm and serene she stood, meeting life's tests and trials
Believing life was good.
"Aunt Rye" was a participant in life; she liked to be in the midst of things
And share its joy and strife.
Names were very important to our "Aunt Rye"
Names of the living and names of the dead
She believed in salvation's plan and always had much work ahead.
She enjoyed Temple work, and she always tried to do her share
For the less fortunate souls who haven't the gospel over there.
Her genealogy records are well done
She toiled to complete them from sun to sun.
"Aunt Rye" was steadfast in her faith
She loved the Gospel Plan.
She loved her God and served him well; she loved her fellowman.
"Aunt Rye" was a saleslady; she had loveliness to sell
"Aunt Rye" was a dreamer and planner, and she always planned well.
"Aunt Rye" was a comforter; she was always where
illness and grief were causing despair.
Her presence was soothing;
in healing she had skill.
When asked if she'd stay with you, she always answered, "Sure, I will".
We all felt relieved when "Aunt Rye" was close by.
ecause on her helpfulness we could always rely.
"Aunt Rye" was a historian and recorder, too.
She was proud of our pioneers and preserved their life stories for all of you.
She cherished her birth right.
Was proud of her kin,
And what they had been.
She painstakingly preserved their history
for all of her beloved posterity to see.
"Aunt Rye" was a student; she liked to read
She appreciated talent and liked to see fools succeed.
She endeavored to find out about the new things in her daily pursuits.
In this way she acquired much knowledge;
Became an educated person without going to college.
"Aunt Rye" was a teacher of Zion's youth;
She loved little children and taught them the truth.
"Aunt Rye" was a devoted sweetheart and wife.
Always pretty and neat.
She seemed to sparkle;
Her spirit was so sweet.
Her choicest role was that of mother¬
She placed that assignment above any other.
Her home was her castle:
Love and good will did abide
The atmosphere was lovely, because peace and tranquility reigned inside.
Her family by good example were taught.
She practiced doing good;
Her character and service have honored womanhood.
Her family have all lived exemplary lives,
As have their children and their devoted wives.
This to their parents much happiness brought.
"Aunt Rye" was enthusiastic and busy as a bee
She lived life abundantly and gloried in its opportunity.
She liked to work; liked to play.
She loved to chat with her family and friends; always had something interesting to say.
She liked to laugh, hike, and swim,
And was always full of vigor and vim.
Folks were anxious to meet "Aunt Rye", and passers by would say,
'So you're "Aunt Rye" Taylor, We've heard about you.
And soon they'd be calling her "Aunt Rye", too.
They felt a close kinship, because of the nice things she'd do.
And as the greatest of all teachers, by example taught,
"Aunt Rye's" splendid lessons to us all have brought
Renewed faith, better judgement, and many a good thought.
It has been said that all we take with us when we leave this earth
Is what we have given; service measures our worth.
As our Creator challenged us to do unto, the least of these
"Aunt Rye" has met this challange and her Creator will she please.
Her widow's mite was always giving of her time and substance
Each day from morn till night.
So' Aunt Rye" has taken with her something more precious than gold
Her record of good deeds will bring blessings many fold.
And the heritage she leaves to family, neighbors, and friends,
Remembering her goodness, no one knows how far its influence extends.
And to show our appreciation for this life so fine
We can, like her, so live
That we too may have something as worthwhile to give.
And I know today in that eternal home not so far away
"Aunt Rye" will not sit idly by--
She'll be helping always doing her share.
And folks, there, too, will love our "Aunt Rye"¬
I know that my Redeemer Lives, and spirits like "Aunt Rye's never die.
Showing posts with label maria louise dixon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label maria louise dixon. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Maria Louise Dixon (1872-1947) Aunt Rye
Crossing the plains in the same company in their migration to Zion were Henry Aldous Dixon, recently from South Africa, and Sarah DeGrey of Dudley, England. Both had accepted the Gospel and had joined the church in their respective homelands. Romance blossomed soon after they met. They were wed and together they planned a home in the "top of the mountains", where peace from persecution and security from molesting mobs could be found by all who sought them.
There was a large family of fine sons and daughters born to them. Like most of the saints, this particular family had their trials and struggles in their efforts for existance in this desert land. It was their united effort to meet the problems of life that brought the Dixon family close together and made them loyal to each other, both in sickness and in health.
One child, Maria, of whom we tell this story, was born five minutes past 9 o'clock on the night of January 5, 1872 in Provo, Utah County, Utah. She was blessed and given her name on January 13, 1872 by her father, Henry A. Dixon. Through most of her life she was known as "Aunt Rye" to all those who knew and loved her.
She received her schooling in Provo. Her first lessons in readin' and writin' were received in the little old adobe school, now replaced by the Lester Taylor home, under the watchful eye of Mrs. Oakley, her teacher. Later she attended the West School, which stood where the Pioneer Park is presently located.
Her father died when Maria was only twelve years old, leaving two wives and thirteen children. The hardships and burdens increased with the loss of her beloved father, but she was able to continue her schooling. She was a member of the first class at the old Parker School, with George H. Brimhall as her teacher. She finished her schooling at the Brigham Young Academy.
Because of necessity of her desire to accomplish much, Maria worked for Robert Skelton in the Provo Book and Stationery for many years prior to her marriage, and became a successful sales and business woman.
The desired life in the thriving communities of Utah was the family life, consequently, Maria married the man of her choice, Arthur N. Taylor, on May 9, 1894 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was but a young lass of twenty two, but she turned her heart to the task of building a comfortable and happy home and rearing a family. Many were the happy times and the sad times which came to this family.
In October, 1900, Maria's husband left her at home with three young boys, Arthur, Lynn, and Elton, to care for while he filled a mission in England. It meant extra work for her, but so much happiness for them both because they knew it was the Lord's work. So, happily, Maria worked hard to make it possible for her husband to do his missionary work.
In 1902, Maria left her children in the care of her mother and went to England to join her husband. She, too, served as a missionary for six months before their return to their home and family. Those were happy, busy days for them both as they carried on with their work with diligence and much faith.
When they returned to Provo, they bought a fruit and dairy farm on the Provo Bench. They knew the farm would help train and develop the young bodies and minds of their boys. During the summertime they lived on the farm and Maria had her first experience as a farmer. Later the fruit farm was sold and the family acquired property at the mouth of the Provo River and Utah Lake. Besides the farming of sugar beets, they opened up a resort center and again, Maria showed her business abilities. She taught her children many valuable lessons in business management.
In all of their ventures and endeavors the Taylor family worked as a unit and cooperation was uppermost in the minds of both parents and children. Their church activities were of much importance to them. To be a cheerful and willing worker in their church, helped each family member to be a cheerful and a willing worked in the home. Maria was especially active throughout her own life. The Gospel was as precious to her as her own life.
In 1913, she was a counslor to Mary Davis in the Third Ward Primany. When the ward was divided, she was called to take Sister Davis' position. Maria then served as President of the Third Ward Primary for ten years. After being released from the primary, she served for twenty years as the Theological teacher in the Relief Society. She was treasurer of the Utah County Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP) for two terms. In June, 1939, she was elected historian of the 4th and 6th camps of the DUP, and later served as historian of the newly created Camp Provo.
113.
She wrote many histories of pioneer families of the Provo Third Ward. Maria was very happy in this work and the records she made will continue down the stream of time to give later generations a
story of their progenitors.
In 1937, Bishop Eves called Maria to help organize the "Widows of the Third Ward". Her mother, Sarah Dixon, had previously been chairman of this same group. The organization raised funds through the sale of quilts, rugs, and pies, which paid for the carpeting and the electric organ for the Third Ward.
Maria and her husband were active in all church activities and were sincere in their desire to do the work of the Lord. Six of their sons filled missions in various parts of the world.
After the death of her husband in September, 1935, Maria bravely carried on and dedicated the remainder of her life to genealogical work. She worked in the Third Ward genealogy group for years. She spent many wonderful hours in various Temples and the genealogical research rooms.
Her social life was full from the time of her childhood until the day she was stricken to her bed. She loved all people she associated with and helped many who were in need. Wildwood, in Provo
Canyon, where Maria spent her summers, was one of the bright spots of her life. It was there that she entertained friends and relatives from far and near.
One of the proudest moments of her life was Mother's Day, May 11, 1941, when she opened the
Sunday edition of the Provo Herald and saw her own picture on the front page, with the caption "The Typical Mother of the Day" underneath it.
She died five minutes to twelve, noon, Monday, February 17, 1947 at the Latter Day Saints Hospital, leaving a posterity of twenty three grandchildren and the following children: Arthur D. Taylor, Bishop of Provo Third Ward; Lynn D. Taylor, former Bishop of Pleasant View Ward; Elton L. Taylor, President of Carbon Stake; Henry D. Taylor, President of Sharon Stake; Alice T. Nelson, Wife of Dr. Elroy
Nelson, Denver, Colorado; Clarence D. Taylor, Provo; and Ruth T. Kartchner, wife of Dr. Fred D.
Kartchner, Hawaii. Kenneth, who was the youngest son, died and was buried on his twenty seventh birthday, November 3, 1940. One brother, Arnold Dixon and two sisters, Mrs. J. W. Dangerfield and Sarah McConachie, also survived.
These words were penned by Maria as the closing lines in the history of her life which she wrote in 1940. "I am so grateful that I have seven of the kindest and dearest children anyone could wish to have to bring joy and comfort to me in my declining years; in fact, I feel that / am one of the most blessed women in the world."
There was a large family of fine sons and daughters born to them. Like most of the saints, this particular family had their trials and struggles in their efforts for existance in this desert land. It was their united effort to meet the problems of life that brought the Dixon family close together and made them loyal to each other, both in sickness and in health.
One child, Maria, of whom we tell this story, was born five minutes past 9 o'clock on the night of January 5, 1872 in Provo, Utah County, Utah. She was blessed and given her name on January 13, 1872 by her father, Henry A. Dixon. Through most of her life she was known as "Aunt Rye" to all those who knew and loved her.
She received her schooling in Provo. Her first lessons in readin' and writin' were received in the little old adobe school, now replaced by the Lester Taylor home, under the watchful eye of Mrs. Oakley, her teacher. Later she attended the West School, which stood where the Pioneer Park is presently located.
Her father died when Maria was only twelve years old, leaving two wives and thirteen children. The hardships and burdens increased with the loss of her beloved father, but she was able to continue her schooling. She was a member of the first class at the old Parker School, with George H. Brimhall as her teacher. She finished her schooling at the Brigham Young Academy.
Because of necessity of her desire to accomplish much, Maria worked for Robert Skelton in the Provo Book and Stationery for many years prior to her marriage, and became a successful sales and business woman.
The desired life in the thriving communities of Utah was the family life, consequently, Maria married the man of her choice, Arthur N. Taylor, on May 9, 1894 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was but a young lass of twenty two, but she turned her heart to the task of building a comfortable and happy home and rearing a family. Many were the happy times and the sad times which came to this family.
In October, 1900, Maria's husband left her at home with three young boys, Arthur, Lynn, and Elton, to care for while he filled a mission in England. It meant extra work for her, but so much happiness for them both because they knew it was the Lord's work. So, happily, Maria worked hard to make it possible for her husband to do his missionary work.
In 1902, Maria left her children in the care of her mother and went to England to join her husband. She, too, served as a missionary for six months before their return to their home and family. Those were happy, busy days for them both as they carried on with their work with diligence and much faith.
When they returned to Provo, they bought a fruit and dairy farm on the Provo Bench. They knew the farm would help train and develop the young bodies and minds of their boys. During the summertime they lived on the farm and Maria had her first experience as a farmer. Later the fruit farm was sold and the family acquired property at the mouth of the Provo River and Utah Lake. Besides the farming of sugar beets, they opened up a resort center and again, Maria showed her business abilities. She taught her children many valuable lessons in business management.
In all of their ventures and endeavors the Taylor family worked as a unit and cooperation was uppermost in the minds of both parents and children. Their church activities were of much importance to them. To be a cheerful and willing worker in their church, helped each family member to be a cheerful and a willing worked in the home. Maria was especially active throughout her own life. The Gospel was as precious to her as her own life.
In 1913, she was a counslor to Mary Davis in the Third Ward Primany. When the ward was divided, she was called to take Sister Davis' position. Maria then served as President of the Third Ward Primary for ten years. After being released from the primary, she served for twenty years as the Theological teacher in the Relief Society. She was treasurer of the Utah County Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP) for two terms. In June, 1939, she was elected historian of the 4th and 6th camps of the DUP, and later served as historian of the newly created Camp Provo.
113.
She wrote many histories of pioneer families of the Provo Third Ward. Maria was very happy in this work and the records she made will continue down the stream of time to give later generations a
story of their progenitors.
In 1937, Bishop Eves called Maria to help organize the "Widows of the Third Ward". Her mother, Sarah Dixon, had previously been chairman of this same group. The organization raised funds through the sale of quilts, rugs, and pies, which paid for the carpeting and the electric organ for the Third Ward.
Maria and her husband were active in all church activities and were sincere in their desire to do the work of the Lord. Six of their sons filled missions in various parts of the world.
After the death of her husband in September, 1935, Maria bravely carried on and dedicated the remainder of her life to genealogical work. She worked in the Third Ward genealogy group for years. She spent many wonderful hours in various Temples and the genealogical research rooms.
Her social life was full from the time of her childhood until the day she was stricken to her bed. She loved all people she associated with and helped many who were in need. Wildwood, in Provo
Canyon, where Maria spent her summers, was one of the bright spots of her life. It was there that she entertained friends and relatives from far and near.
One of the proudest moments of her life was Mother's Day, May 11, 1941, when she opened the
Sunday edition of the Provo Herald and saw her own picture on the front page, with the caption "The Typical Mother of the Day" underneath it.
She died five minutes to twelve, noon, Monday, February 17, 1947 at the Latter Day Saints Hospital, leaving a posterity of twenty three grandchildren and the following children: Arthur D. Taylor, Bishop of Provo Third Ward; Lynn D. Taylor, former Bishop of Pleasant View Ward; Elton L. Taylor, President of Carbon Stake; Henry D. Taylor, President of Sharon Stake; Alice T. Nelson, Wife of Dr. Elroy
Nelson, Denver, Colorado; Clarence D. Taylor, Provo; and Ruth T. Kartchner, wife of Dr. Fred D.
Kartchner, Hawaii. Kenneth, who was the youngest son, died and was buried on his twenty seventh birthday, November 3, 1940. One brother, Arnold Dixon and two sisters, Mrs. J. W. Dangerfield and Sarah McConachie, also survived.
These words were penned by Maria as the closing lines in the history of her life which she wrote in 1940. "I am so grateful that I have seven of the kindest and dearest children anyone could wish to have to bring joy and comfort to me in my declining years; in fact, I feel that / am one of the most blessed women in the world."
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