OCR Text |
Show 1 October 19)2 Page 19 . UTAH WOMAN'S REVIEW UTAH And Man's HONOR Review MRS. FRANCES GRANT BENNETT OF THE YEAH X Jwj. MRS. FRANCES GRANT BENNETT When she returned she entered IDS High School. It was here as a junior that she first fell in love with a boy, who had the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen and a very expressive mouth. Wallace was a student-bod- y officer, a member of the debating team, and on the staff of the school paper. She passed his house each day to and from school and used to dream of being with him. But he was interested in other girls. After graduation she went off to i Boston to study music for two years. Upon obtaining her degree she returned to teach in Salt Lake Gty. Now things had changed, and Wallace decided Frances should be his bride. So on September 22, 1922, they began life together on a honeymoon to Bryce Canyon and Zions National Park. They built a beautiful Colonial-type home on a high hill at 469 B Street. Modem features contained the first built-i- n stove and built-i- n refrigerator in Salt Lake Gty. Five lovely children bver the years have come as welcome guests into the Bennett home. In addition one other boy, who was loaned to them for a time. W Unique is the life of Frances Grant Bennett. Well educated, author, world traveler, church worker, homemaker, wife of a renowned senator, gracious lady warm-heartefrom a rich pioneer heritage are just a few of her wonderful qualities of life. Mrs. Bennett was bom Frances Grant, the youngest daughter of the late Heber J. Grant, seventh President of the LDS Church. All four of her grandparents crossed the plains in covered wagons before the days of the transcontinental railroad. At the age of four she went on her first trip. Her father, then an Apostle of the Church, was called to head the European Mission. The family comprising Father, Mother and six lovely girls traveled by train to Denver, Kansas Gty, Chicago, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, New York and Boston before boarding the big ship, the Commonwealth, for Liverpool. Stops were made along the way to transact some business for the Church. The human interest, absorbing experiences encountered in their travels as well as other delightful narrative in her life, is contained in Mrs. Bennetts own warmly written book, Glimpses of a Mormon Family. After extensive travels in Europe for three years the Grant family returned to the valley of the Rocky Mountains to continue life and education. Frances mother, having contracted cancer passed away a little over a year later, leaving the six girls with only their father and Aunt Edna to care d, All the children, four boys . I for them. From her father she learned character traits and a way of life that has provided a solid foundation of happiness for her. Her early education in Salt Lake Gty was interrupted by two years of living in Chicago, where she walked three-quarteof a mile to and from school each day. rs and two girls are happily married and are devoted parents. The four boys have fulfilled missions for the Church, and one Wallace G. and his family is presently in charge of the England South Mission. The other children of their ! own include Dr. David W. Bennett, Salt Lake City; Robert F. Bennett, Arlington, Va.; Rosemary Bennett Fletcher, Summit, New Jersey; and Frances Bennett Jeppson.Beth-esda- , Maryland. Their grandchildren now number 27 and the joy and happiness they bring is boundless. Unto the least of these, best describes the work of loving service performed by Mrs. Bennett for the Primary organization of the Church, including, the Children's Hospital. Author of Called first to serve in the Stake Primary, she proved her capabilities in music and teaching and was subsequently called to the General Board of the Primary of the Church. At the time she was also ward organist while Wallace directed the ward choir and in addition they put on two operettas for the young (. The Wallace Mmiu'tl Family. and IhiuyMit. (Ixuk nur) Aim. Wallace G. Jin nut. hrut i Theda Call) Heimcft and Wallace G, Bunnell. I. to r. Grant, peoples participation. Her work on the General Board involved writing of lessons and articles for The Children's Friend magazine. Later she was to be given the responsibility to work with the Primary Childrens Hospital. Involved with the need to raise funds for a new budding, children were asked to donate l(ty to buy one brick. Over $20,000 was donated by this means alone. Although her husband was elected NAM President in 1949 and to the United States Senate in 1950, she was not released from her position until 1952, C Fhtrhrr Femihf Cithtim .! imt cfawtJiftt fUwfn mry KfuiNWr ffctil Aurffcryn. ; ( Ariilwr Hif'xil unt WaiiVfl iftKCff. The i l r. ?!. Ur, (.Will, whence she saw her dream fulfilled with the dedication of the new Primary Childrens Hos- pital. Mrs. Bennett describes this work as the crowning point of my whole life of Church service And what is die doing today? She says: I have gone, the full cycle from Primary teacher to stake board leader to general board, back to stake board, and I am now again a Primary teacher. The dedicated clubwoman fascinated her, but fundamental!) , being a homebody, die never joined any womens dubs until moving to the nation's capitol. There she found a great amount of pleasure in belonging to three organized groups of women. The Ladies of the Senate organized in 1917 to promote friendship and to work with the Red Cross; The Congressional the only womens dub chartered by Congress (1908); and the International Neighbors Club, 'organized in 1956 to promote understanding and goodwill among women from all parts of the world, provided a wealth of experience and pleasure for her during the past 20 years in Wash. D. C. Besides holding executive positions in the clubs she has enjoyed the association of great women and.men of the world, touring Europe, Japan, Israel, Australia, Philippines, just to name a few places of interest. rw I. tm r. UmM W. Mb, The iMUitHttf : JrpiiM-- I. la i. .Mhtu, and Anne. BMi FathUu-ChUdi'- eM thatk r hmru ta md ifcrtTw. Bern t (M bn md Am. of vur doubter Frances. Bryan, and Marian. i Caiulyn, Monym. Qub Glimpses of a The Robert F. Bennett Family. Robert hi.. Robert F. Bi nneit. Mn. Robert F. (Joyie McKay), and Julie, Frances Grant Bennett has her own ideas on how the Senate should be run and first on her list is to adjourn Congress during the summer and not work late at night. Thouroughly a delightful person, with a glowing sense of humor Mrs. Wallace F. Bennett has won the hearts of all who have known her and ' Mormon Family admired and respected her for her dedication and devotion as a choice wife, mother, teacher, musician, humanitarian and loving companion to her eminent husband of national stature. are happy to honor her and her family and wish her continued health, happiness and beauty of life. We |