Beatrice Snow Winsor Letters to Lu & Wickie and Family

 Jan. 2 - 1970

Dearest  Ones--

Wickie, Lu & the boys:

I assume Marilu is about to return to school so I may see her. She forgot to leave me her address so I cannot thank her for the "darling" little saucepan she sent me for Xmas. It's just what I needed. This young lady of yours happens to be & has grown to be a lovely young woman. I am so proud of her. She has developed under the influence of the missionary spirit and her environment has contributed much to her character traits. I want to compliment her parents & her brothers for your contribution to her lovely spirit. I am so proud of her. 

My thanks to you all for my Xmas box (the scarf) - please do not go farther than a sweet letter again - that can warm my heart even as no material thing can do. Just a great grand mother's suggestion-?

I pushed myself too hard before Xmas & broke out in a bad case of "hives" from which I suffered extreme weakness - am just making a comeback. My hands were badly affected. The right one has been weakened anyway since my last summer's surgery. Small bloody veins covered the fingers & it was slow healing. They were so swollen the fingers has to be manually separated. Now they have lost more flesh than is good & I am handicapped for strength. My entire body has felt the result of medication - Dr. Cowan (skin specialist prescribed for me but I had to wait nearly 24 hours to get some action. 

I am grateful to be alive and still able to get out of the hours when I must. Kathy is in a home in Ogden where she seems to be happy. I hear from her occasionally. More than that I know nothing and nobody offers an explanation. Marsh is working for " Terichor" a local aeronautic company who offers other services for fliers after their age demands are no longer satisfactory. 

I must get to my genealogy (card work) & satisfy some needs for Swiss & German lines. We are putting out the big majority of our ancestral lines this year to see where we stand in the Eyring organization. 

Our Terrys have a good researcher now & we should see results by next year. 

I love you all dearly & long to see you once more. Keep well - more later-Lovingly Mom

Feb 21-1970

Dearest Ones: Thanks for your letter - details concerning all of you - when Wayne was having his dental appointment - I surely enjoyed every little bit of it. You have been so generous in attending to detailed dental needs of the children. They will always be grateful. I wish their father had been able to get such service years ago. 

I wrote above last Fri. before coming out here to Arrowhead ( The Riley & Company summer home) It is all finished now & decorated (the company owns it and all benefit. I wish you could see it - all natural finished (some of it pecan wood) Bedrooms in blue & white (wall paper) white drapes & hangings with trim to match & great stone fireplace - restored furniture throughout (pardon please - some new) Ray's & Beas friend did the decorating. She's really exceptional. 

We have the week-end here & Monday which is Washington's birthday. Then back to Arcadia again. Ken came up here yesterday (it's not far to San Bernardino) He will be with us tomorrow. 

I am so proud of your boys & their active life in the church. God bless you all in your efforts to keep them so. I have not seen Marilu since she returned after Xmas. I'll be back home before April conference. I find it hard to get around & have to hold fast to rules or take the consequences. 

I'll be painting up to Polly's within ten more days. I  would be on my way next week end except Muriel has house guests thru that way staying with them. Luther, I hope & pray you'll be guided into a new job you enjoy, farther west- We all pray for that - see you all late this summer. Lovingly, Mom

Wickie, Lu, Please forgive my tardiness in my thank you-s - you are so prompt with yours We love the chocolate & hoped we'd get some again for Christmas. They were the favorite treat! Surely wish we could get together! ! Here or there. It's such a treat having Mom here! -All our love, Bea & family

These are two snapshots of the interior of Ray's & Beas summer home at Mt. Arrowhead. it serves the families of all the "big shots" in the company. (The buyers) & brings them together in one place for bargaining. It's really a "show Place" 

This is written the "day after" one week-end up to Arrowhead. They have a small ward up there but I took my first cold of the year - likewise Jimmy. Please send the snapshots around with next R.R. Keep well & we'll look for you around Aug or Sep. ? Lovingly, Mom

Mothers' Day Sunday May 10

Dearest Wickie & Lu & family. Your letters duly received and thanks so much. I've read them several times to be sure I haven't missed anything. You as a family are doing the things Pre. McKay handed out to the church some years ago - I am very proud of you as you take missionary work in your stride. I envy you - Out here we wonder what makes our L.D.S. tick when it comes to really doing missionary work. 

I am so glad Mark can go to B.Y.U. Salt Lakers & nearby vicinities cannot get in any more where they have L.D.S. Institutes where they can get training. Maybe I can help with Marks expenses next year. I've been helping Colleen & Susan this last year. Kathy has a start in training with Mt. States Tel & Tel. Co. They will train her as she works. So glad she has her feet on the ground at last.

Kenneth is facing a real Crisis in the teaching field. Reagan has closed all their colleges in Calif - A real crisis. 

I've been having a new sink installed in my kitchen. The hot water pipe burst when the men began to tear our the "innards" it flooded the kitchen for nearly forty minutes before we could locate one of our men who knew the pipes. Three of us literally swept the flood out the back door & down the stairs before we could get help. I am fortunate to get any improvements at all and will have to pay half of the expense. 

I am not painting since I came home from Calif. My hands are swollen & sore from a new outbreak on the left hand. - also affects the right hand some & very little strength in those fingers. I will try again after this subsides but my best work is over! 

Congratulations on your 22nd anniversary! I'm real proud of you and that you keep the "love fires" bright & shiny. I am so happy you can work together in so many of your projects. 

I appreciate your words of love for your "Mom" Lu. Could I ask for more? Be faithful & true to your priesthood & your reward will come in the strength of your service to others. Try to get the picture of the "trial" period that is here now for us all - I am filling a cupboard with foods that will satisfy some of the hungry thousands who will eventually pass thru here. Pre. Smith is here to warn us to live the gospel - that is his message. 

The management has renovated the Smith apartment next door. (Red carpet on the floor) & an officer of the law is on guard in the office every night. One before midnight and one from then til Morning. I feel a great load lifted from my shoulders. I shall get a good screen door at the entrance of my apartment- it's a must. 

I love you all and long to see you - keep well and pray always

Yours Always, Mom

(Joseph Fielding Smith and Jessie Evans Smith were in the apartment next to Bea. We could see their back porch and kitchen window from Bea's back door. He became president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on January 23rd, 1970, so this had happened just a few months before this letter was written.. ) 

May 27, 1970

Dearest family: The Round Robin has been very helpful in helping to heal my loneliness while I have been unable to get out on the usual rounds. Thank you all for your contributions and your love. It was specially heart warming to have a picture of you Lu, with your three boys. They have grown up since I last saw them and I was hard put to identify Mark and Brian. Wayne has not changed. They are a fine good looking trio. I am looking forward to seeing them in August. you are still a missionary family and doing the program Pres. McKay outlined before his death. It brings it's own reward. I am looking forward to seeing you. 

David and Peggy the colored shot of you two is so much a part of your background. I wish I had a close shot of you Peggy, especially when you have time. Better still come to Utah and visit with me. 

I am finally getting my eczema hands cleared up so they look human again. The irritation is less and less and my doctor is on the right track I think. I cannot yet judge the results but this I will have to accept that fifty percent of the strength in my hands is gone. I am grateful for the good years I have enjoyed. 

Summer is just around the corner and we can enjoy it - there have been so many cold days even when the sun was shining - just a breeze every day - now it is a warm breeze leading to hot summer weather. 

My new sink is finally installed and a part of each new day. I am so grateful. I hope I do not have to see this building disintegrate before I pass on. Several of the apartments have sprung leaks worse than mine so it is like putting new wine in old bottles. 

Muriel, I am doing the picture your friend wanted. Will have it ready soon. I close my eyes real often and see your lovely home and garden. Enjoy it while you can and thank the Lord for the blessing of hard labor so you can cherish the sweets. 

Thanks for the card Bea and all the rest of you who have taken the time to enrich our R.R.. We all need it and enjoy every bit. All my love to all of you who make up the pattern of my life, Lovingly, Mom

May 28 Hands are healing fast. have you all heard about the tornado in Bountiful?

July 13 - 1970 

Dearest Lu & Wickie & the boys:  you must feel I have forgotten the simple rules of conduct in leaving letters unanswered for a month at a time. When I list the reasons maybe you will forgive me. Your last letter indicated all of you were busy at something. 

We look forward to August & your trip home hoping somehow all of you might at least meet during that time. We gave up on a family reunion since you were not sure of a date. James & Joe will be coming thru there on the first few days of August - not at the return of their vacation. Ken will be here some time no date set as yet. I've had no word at all from the Rileys. I wish you folks could take time to visit them and go on up to Mips & Polly's. Life is short (from here on anyway) & you've had so little chance to be together for more than I like to count. Mip is less enthusiastic about life than I've ever seen her. 

I went down the last of Feb. until the end of March  - stayed at Mip's after I'd been in arcadia 2 wks. & we had some good talks. (Ken was there a few days last year but this time - no) I saw Ken a few times at Bea's but since he was in school it was hard for him to make it in between times. 

My hands are fairly well cleared up now. Had a rough time for six weeks. It's "nerves" now & I must watch that I get plenty of rest every day. I walk with a cane when out of doors and find 2 blocks about as far as I can walk. I've no complaints but I have to face facts. I'm wearing out 'Literally" & the aches & pains remind me of it daily. I am trying to speed up the genealogical program so anybody can handle it- there is not too much time left as it is. 

We have been on a merry go round of weddings lately (three of them Eyrings) I try to identify with them as much as I can because I'm compelled to use all the help I can get to use this new program. So much for problems that are current. 

Our ward is building a new chapel - so many groups needed to gather funds! 

The Tongan colony of the ward is helping with Luaus, etc. We support everything. I can visit with you I hope when you come home. We'll do our best to meet your conditions Have to run now - I do a little "compassionate service" on the side. Love you all Mom

July 25th

Lu & Wickie - Dear ones:

Just one last word before you may be leaving home for your trip west. Pat has been trying to get a letter off - don't know if she will get to it. Yesterday was a "hectic' day. The President & party arriving here down State St & around to the church office building. Five minutes to greet the crowd & off to the rodeo. Pat & her 3 youngest over to see the parade - (first time in their lives)

  (This would be the 24th of July Pioneer parade)

We talked briefly about a time table for your visit. She thot if you plan to go to Zions they might meet you there or even the Calif children Possibly might come that far. None of us know your 3 boys anymore. We long to get acquainted. Could you swing down to Calif from Zions & see the family there - how they live & where. Is there a better time?

  (Marilu-I worked at Zion National Park that summer, so they were coming to "Zions" to see me.)

I am off limits on such a trip. Have had a bad fall this week & dare not risk a lengthy trip in a car. 

Mip will be coming here last of  August on way home from a vacation. Ken probably here possibly next week. Write me if you can. Love, Mom

Sunday -Aug 23

Dearest Children: I am spending the day at home getting a well earned rest while I nurse my "afflictions" in the "Job" department (as in the biblical Job of many afflictions, not a task) I do sympathize with that poor soul with his boils & affliction of all kinds. Mine are concentrated in the hands of course but the "itching" has been intolerable. I've been "spraying the liquid the doctor gave me into cracks & sore spots and it lasts about an hour or so. But it's effective so far. I lost my sleep and today I'm groggy. 

The Bennetts came down to Zion but had no idea where you were, Lu. And of course they would never think of Tropic. They had just so much time so had to return in a given time. Pat will explain. 

I could weep that you children in Calif could not join us here but the time wasn't right for you & Lu's vacation was too early to match it. I feel sad that our western family could not have enjoyed each other at a time when the children were growing so fast. -When another 2 years go by it will be six years between visits for some of you. 

I hardly knew Wayne & Brian after 4 yrs. I do hope in time Lu can transfer west. Hope I can hang on that long. 

Polly, since I talked to you by phone yesterday my hands are much worse & I am concerned. I have been spraying the bad spots & between the fingers. It seems to last longer than cream. Hope it will be effective. 

My love to each and every one of you. Keep well & love each other. We all make mistakes &plans go wrong occasionally. Make the best of every day. 

Lovingly, 

Mom and Grandmother. 

Sept 2 - 1970

Dearest Ones: 

Your short messages to the call from your folks of you safe arrival was like music to my ears. Thank you for your thotfulness. It seems like a far off echo of the dream visit that was a reality not long ago. I have had a period of forced relaxation I know would come but I hope it is over now. My hands are slowly healing but continually a bit rough. I really had to get down to wet packs daytime as well as night. Can't seem to build up new skin. Lotions & special formulas do not work. 

I'm back to work again now - have had frequent visits from old fiends lately. made an Eyring pedigree for Camilla Kimballs' grandson who is on a mission over in the old Germany. 

(Marilu-Camilla Eyring Kimball was a first cousin of Bea's , a little younger than she was but close enough that they knew one another well. Her husband Spencer  W. Kimball became President of the church on December 26, 1973. Two months previous to this event he was the main speaker at Bea's funeral) 

I do hope all is well and that Mark is looking forward to this new experience at the Y. Let me know when he will need the first check. I do not know what his address will be. 

I love you all & miss you very much, Mom

Sunday - Oct 11 -'70

Dearest Wickie & Lu & the boys: 

Your letter Wickie of the 27th of Sep. has waited much to long - I'm sorry but I had some extras as well as regular crying for attention. My hands were also taking a toll of my "nerves." The "nails" are beginning to go on the right hand - one is black the others will follow - both hands are painful if I use them even a normal amount. I feel sure the Lord will give me a few more years to finish the work I've started. 

I've been idle on the painting all summer -will test them out next week. 

I do not have Marilu's address- please send it -when you write. I'd like to keep in touch. Carol Gay wrote me when her baby arrived. She will be happy with her two little girls - be assured of that. The first boy will be all the more precious when he arrives. 

Wickie, I hope you will try to find some leisure time. It is one reason I am trying to help Mark so that you can make provision for it. 

Luther, I'm so glad to know you like your work & more content with personnel. I thot you had supervision from Washington not local. 

I miss you all & I guess will continue to do so. You are so much a part of me. 

My hands have such a large part of my reason for living since I can do nothing of worth without them, so it is important I save them all I can. The nails are beginning now to come off. They are very slender & the grafted ones show the change first. The pain in muscles more severe & never before manifested the same symptoms. One finger nail is black beneath the nail & down the finger. 

We have had a glorious conference weather - sunny & warm. After everybody when home the rains came - it has subsided today & the sun is out again. The family all went home as you know -Then grandma Riley passed away & Bea & Ray came again for the service. they had made one trip to bring the girls up to school. Pat & I went to Bountiful for the funeral & had a few hours with all of them. Dessie Boyle, my dear friend of Primary Board days also passed away. I feel a great loss - so stimulating to  talk to - a real friend & Confidant.

I am nearing completion of my genealogical responsibility -completing the Snow 8th generation & most of the Eyring except a few tag-ends of special families- German & French being done by hired researchers. 

There is a great stack of American research of the Snows still to be done but I can turn it over to Snow cousins now. I am released as their genealogist as of now. 

Did I give you the Eyring & Bommeli Packet Lu? 

I love you all 7 pray for a meeting before too long - yours, Mom

Thurs. Oct. 21 - 1970

Dearest Children:

Thank you all for the grand letters. It is the "high peak" of the week for me when R.R. reaches me. I am handicapped in many ways but Pat  is "sort of" doing the letter for both of us. I am conserving my strength for "necessities". 

This has been a busy week. Our ward is building a new chapel & all sorts of money making events to make money. 

We had a good laugh with the !!different letter" ( a dozen reasons to provoke a giggle". We could use more of those. 

Bless you all - keep well

I love you - Mom & Gdmom

Nov. 18 1970 Dear Ones: Your letter Wickie of November 2 - has been open on my desk since its arrival waiting for an answer. I've been so busy doing a few pictures for bazaar (Rel. Society) & finishing ancestral lines for Gdmother Snow I lost track of time. Extras have had to wait. I will try to get to the Z.C. music department for a musical  catalogue before mailing this letter. 

This morning I must get over to the mortuary at ten & funeral at 12:15 for Sis. McKay- who passed away this week. She is a member of our ward & we are responsible for the flowers - also are seated in a special section for the Re. Society. 

I'm sorry Mark even thinks of leaving B.Y.U. before he has given it a "good try". I sympathize too because I've experienced the same feelings as a young girl among new friends all at once. If he can get through the first year it won't be so hard again. That's a part of "maturing". 

We have had unbelievably beautiful weather- cold but no storms. It's so delightful to be able to walk everywhere without galoshes. this too, will pass(?) or is the world changing?

I am facing my "hand" problem & hope it will straighten out. Have to "pamper" them of course. The roughness does not clear up & I'm "in for it" either way. I've gone back to painting every two weeks out to Holliday. Have to fill up my time or I would go to pieces. 

Kathy is in the hospital for observation. She had a seizure exactly like Dad used to have. We are very much concerned about her. Has "temporary leave " from her job. She is much to young for this. Maybe there will be new treatment now that will be effective. 

Please include her in your family prayers. 

My love to you all. 

Mom

(Marilu-I had no idea of this medical history. When she says Dad, I assume she means Luther M. Winsor & not her biological father. A year after this incident she records I had my first Temporal lobe epilepsy seizure. It took over a year to diagnose because I was awake and functional during the seizures. I experienced this until July 4th 1976 when I had my last one.)

Nov 1970 

My son, my feelings are very tender today thinking of you - the busy hours that make up your life in providing for your family - a wife who is truly a help meet in every way - and children who can "look up" to their parents in love and confidence. I am blessed in calling you mine. I love you with all my heart and wish for you a life full to the "brim" with the blessings you desire and joy and happiness in the "pattern of life" that brings us all together again. 

Life is a constant round of activity for me for which I am thankful. So many neighbors kind & thotful 7 who need a return of love & help for the long days ahead of them. 

happy birthday., my son - I miss you -

Affectionately, Mom

Greeting card:'

Wickie dear: "This greeting's extra special Because it's time to send A Happy Birthday message to a very special (Friend crossed out, Daughter written in) One who's true and loyal and grand in every way, Whos wished the very best in life today and every day"

Sorry I am late - I've been pretty helpless with my hands all flaming with eczema. Hope all is well. Lovingly, Mom