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Show Mother's Day Issue Utah Woman1 s Review Page 4 ILIR&IDEMCB ILIIFIE OF THE YEAR" Her friends on the MIA General Board recall that at that time, Irene went far beyond the call of duty. "Irene had designed and made hundreds of beautiful costumes for the presentation. AFter conference, letters started coming asking how wards and stakes could get costumes for their own productions," recalled one board member. "As a board, we had no way of supplying costumes. But Irene was so anxious to help those people of the wards and stakes, she started her own rental service, charging just enough for maintenance of the costumes. She kept them cleaned, mended and on the go all over the country. All on her own time. "After the need for the costumes was over, Irene came into the board offices and left a check in the amount of all the ren ' tals." 1965 From 1964 to she filled a mission in the fcastern States and received a special assignment at the New York World's Fair as a receptionist at the Mormon Pavillion. At the same time her son, Richard was serving in the Swiss Mission, which in her own words "brought a closeness between mother and son serving in missions at the same time." Irene has also been member of the Tabernacle Choir and a teacher in all auxiliaries. In social service she had been a volunteer for the Red Cross and all social service organizations and a PTA officer for many years. Mrs. Staples has been a staunch advocate of women's participation in the political process, having been member of the Republican State Central Committee; a county, state and national delegate to conventions; president of the Salt Lake Republican Women's club; and a member of Utah Women's Legislative Council. Socially Irene has made many friends through her affiliation and membership with the Ladies Literary Club, the Classics Dinner and Dance Club, been president of the Club; and a member of the Bonneville Knife and Fork Club. Her four children all residing in Salt Lake City, are Mrs. Kingsley (Shirley) Clawson, Mrs. Roger (Mary Ann) Clements, John Harold Staples and Richard Edward Staples. But "rolling out the red carpet" for those who visit our beautiful city has been her prime concern for the past few years. As Official Church Hostess she has the responsibility of helping VIPs see the many Church attractions in Salt Lake City. In 1969 she arranged special treatment for the Vienna Boys Choir. The 22 youngsters from Vienna, Austria, sang for the Church President, swam in Deseret Gym, toured Temple Square and ate lunch in the Lion House. She has arranged thousands of itineraries for royalty, military leaders, governors, ambassadors and countless other leaders, both industrial and professional. Some very experiences have come to her through the wide association and service performed for these visitors from every state in the union and a great number of foreign countries. Many of them have extended invitations to her to visit and be royally entertained in their countries. Irene is finally getting around to accepting this idea for the vacation. end of this month she will be leaving for a in the field "My greatest joy is in service to others-whet- her of home and children, church, politics or civic interests," describes best her own philosophy. "I have always felt that a person must have a balanced life in all fields of endeavor to achieve his highest potential. This involves a willingness to help others." Her gracious home reflects her warm, friendly personality. It's decorated in soft pinks and filled with beautiful antiques and "each has a object d'art, which Mrs. Staples treasures-beca- use sentimental story behind it." The Utah Woman's Review is pleased to honor this gracious woman and extend to her the best of life and happiness in her continued service to others. Top-Hatte- rs heart-warmi- IRENE STAPLES The congenial hostess for visitors to Salt Lake City is Irene Edward Staples. Her office wall is covered with the countless pictures of dignitaries and foreign visitors who have been made welcome and escorted to enjoy the beautiful scenic and historic places of the valley. 0 Her talents are varied and extend over five decades of service. Born in Preston, Idaho, the Sth of 8 children, to Dr. David T. and Florence Fern Edwards, at the age of IS she completed her schooling and began her career as an apprentice in the millinery field at the Paris Co. (She had already been designing and making hats for years for her mother and four sisters.) After two years Irene was placed in charge of the millinery workroom at the Paris. Later she won two national design awards in millinery. From this beginning which led her to design and make hundreds of costumes for roadshow stage productions in the MIA and other auxiliaries she became known affectionately as the woman who has sewed for miles and miles. Irene has experienced many rewarding years. On Feb. 23, 1926, she became the happy bride of Harold A. Staples in Salt Lake City, Joyous years followed as four children came to enrich their home, but saddness came when her husband of 33 years died Dec 5, 1959. She accelerated her service to others to help her through those dark days. Among other activities, she headed the Salt Lake County Cancer drive in 1960; served on the board of the State Fine Arts Commission; board, Utah Federation of Republican Women; director of volunteers at LDS Hospital; guide for visitors at the Beehive House. In addition she kept on making her talents available to the LDS Church even though she had already served as president of the Primary, Relief Society and YWMIA three times. Besides this she had served on the stake board of all auxiliaries and had been costumer for many Church pageants, performances and productions. The General Board of the YWMIA awarded her the Honorary Gold Gleaner award and her sewing machine kept humming, creating new designs for interior decoration and millinery. Her joy and dedication is expressed as she once said: "It has been a priviledge to have special assignments from the Relief Society and MIA General Boards in costuming for many pageants and conferences, including the presentation of "Promised Valley' at June conference of 1962." ng well-earn- ed Colonist Daughters install Mrs. Sterling M. McMurrin was installed regent of the Utah State Society, Daughters of the American Colonists, at a luncheon Tuesday at the Rine Haus. JS. Other officers arc Frances J. Carhart. first vice regent; Mrs. Harold R. Waldo, second vice regent; Mrs. Clarence R. Bjomn, chaplain; Mrs. Irvine R. Forsberg. recording secretary; Welthea M. LearnedV corresponding secretary; Mrs. P. M. Budge, registrar; Mrs. Rulon E. Jones, treasurer; Mrs. Orson S. Sanders, historian; Mrs. George W. Cawley. librarian; Mrs. Raymond b. Wood, Mrs. James H. Hance, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Charles C. Parsons, directors. May 1973 Volunteer Services Sought Placement Center Channels Efforts "Someone out there needs you, and we can tell you who." That's a very important slogan to those interested in becoming volunteers. "More people are responding to the call than ever before," said Mrs. Elaine Smart, director of the Voluntary Action Center, Community Services Council. As part of the .national campaign to get people, from teen-ageto senior citizens, to donate their time and talk ents to others, a local campaign to place volunteers in situations where they will do the most good, and receive the most satisfaction. rs two-wee- "We know there are many people who want to respond to a call for help," Mrs. Smart said. "Why, when we have in asked for anything column in the Deseret News . . . Do-It-Ma- "For instance, a girl needed transportation to Vernal at Christmastime and a request was made in the column. Willing people called and called. was overThe response said. she whelming," "And when we asked for a stroller for a welfare family, a young couple came in pushing their child in an old stroller and turned over a brand new one to us. They had just purchased it with Green Stamps." That's the kind of people we have living in our community, she said. "We can ask for a anypiano, a refrigerator and thing willing people are to there help." Yet, more volunteers are needed. . "For the next two weeks, our switchboard will be open 24 hours a day, just to take names and interests of volunteers. are compiling a "need bank," Mrs. Smart said. We Dan and Nancy Herbert of Kearns, who are both in wheelchairs, will be part of interviewer the volunteer force. They'll help decide where your help is needed. The Salt Lake City Public Library needs .volunteers to take books to housebound invalids and senior citizens. You woulc be expected to pick up the books and bring others in' a few weeks. |