June Hayden - A Woman of Good

While I was growing up, we lived only a few short miles from both sets of grandparents. As such, I spent a significant amount of time at my grandparents' houses with my family, ranging from Sunday afternoons to date night for my parents.

From these many childhood experiences, I have been able to detect a theme of character for my Grandma Hayden. Whether she was filling up the jar of Swedish berry candy, playing City-Search (a game of her own creation), frying an omelette, teaching us Hide-the-Thimble, bringing out banana Cremies, or watching us roam the mountainside that was her backyard, she was ever focused on the individual.

My grandma lived a very difficult early life. Her father was critically injured while she was a young girl, and never regained his full strength - this left the family in difficult circumstances during the Great Depression. When she was 16, her life was again significantly altered by the advent of World War II.

At the end of the War, June met my grandfather, Ben Hayden. After an interesting courtship, they were married. Their first child was a daughter, followed by 5 sons.

Life was not simple in the Hayden household, as June's faith was often a point of conflict with members of Ben Hayden's family. This occasionally spilled over into home life as well, but June did her best to be a good influence on her husband, children, and extended family. When my father was in his late teens Grandpa Ben finally made the decision to be baptized.

When Ben had a stroke in the late 1990's, my grandma could be seen ever caring for him until his death in 1999. Not once did I see her complain.

Grandma was always there for me, and for each member of my family. When I graduated from high school, when I left on a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, when I went to college, and every time I have been home since she would give a happy laugh and say "I love you kiddo."

I learned that Grandma passed away early this morning. I was able to see her about a week prior to this, when the only words she could still say were "I love you".

11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

 12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Alma 40:11-12 

People often ask me to explain what I believe - because of Jesus Christ, my family will be reunited beyond the grave. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3)."

God be thanked for the influence of this wonderful lady and for the gift of His Divine Son.