Irma Jean Firth Poulsen

January 20, 1928 - January 15, 2018

Jean Poulsen Jean was born in Ogden, Utah on January 20, 1928, and passed away on January 15, 2018. She was adopted by Irma Doxey of Ogden and John Firth of South Weber soon after her birth. As a new mother Irma was proud to give her daughter her name, naming her Irma Jean Firth. Irma Jean’s new home was on 27th Street just above Jefferson where she was doted upon by her grandparents on both sides. No sooner had this new family been started, that it was tragically lost, as Irma Jean’s father passed away on October 18, 1931. This widowed mother and her young 3-year-old daughter now moved in with Irma Jean’s grandfather, Moroni Doxey. They moved just below Washington Blvd, still on 27th Street. Jean loved living with her Grandpa and told of many fond experiences of her childhood. Her most cherished memories were of becoming best friends with her cousin Olive Jane Doxey, ‘JD.’ The two were inseparable, and as JD put it, “Jean was her Best-Friend-Sister-Cousin.” In 1938 another change came into Jean’s life, her mother was remarried to Richard Tucker. They moved back to Jean’s first home on 27th. Jean’s relationship with her new father was difficult, but despite this, she very much enjoyed life. A love of animals began at an early age. One of her favorite pets was a little Pomeranian named Toyon. Growing up Jean had many friends whom she enjoyed being with. One friend Bob Clay said of her, “Irma Jean is a very enthusiastic, bubbling person, full of energy, and in that made you happy to be around.” She attended Ogden High and enjoyed being in the Pep Club and was on the golf team. After graduating from high school in May of 1946, Jean’s life again was to be taken on a different course. While hitch-hiking with a friend out to Saltair by the Great Salt Lake, she was given a ride by a young man. Delbert ‘Del’ Poulsen who was driving out that way with a friend and was happy to give this beautiful young lady a ride. They hit it off and were soon married on August 22, 1946. They first lived in the Avenues of Salt Lake City. Jean worked shortly for Mountain Fuel and it was at this time that she found out that she was expecting. She was very sick with this pregnancy and said, “that the people at Mountain Fuel were very good to help her.” On July 17, 1948 she gave birth to a 5 lb 4 oz baby girl whom they name Sandra Kaye. The family stayed there in the avenues until a new baby boy came into their life on April 7, 1950. He was named John Richard in honor of his two grand fathers. Mom affectionately called him “Teco Bug”, but everyone else calls him Rick. The little family then moved to a home at 36 W. Creek Drive in Murray and settled in for a short time. Another boy came into the family on October 12, 1955, Gary James. Another move came in early 1957 when the family moved to 2971 E. Morgan Drive in the Holladay area. Living there, she was a member of the L.D.S. Holladay 6th Ward and enjoyed participating in all the ward activities. In the years that followed Jean provided for her children in innumerable ways, being involved with their school, church, and social lives. She taught Rick to build cabinetry, Sandy how to sew clothes, and Gary how to grow plants. Her children enjoyed the summers swimming in their pool with friends and extended family, the fall time with trick-or-treating and winter sleigh-riding down their street. It was a wonderful place to grow up. Mom worked at Sears, the Snack Shack at Cottonwood Mall and also did gift wrapping there. She worked with Jerry Seiner as a shuttle driver, in the catering business, operated the Malt Barn on Redwood Road, worked in the cabinet making & installation business, helped build 3 homes and remodel a couple of condos. She was a woman of many talents, and enjoyed many hobbies and interests. Carpentry, sewing, quilting, ironing and cooking to name a few. She especially loved to feed people. She prepared, cooked and served large, delicious family meals on many Sundays & holidays. She loved playing card games, always playing by the rules. She loved to garden and keep up a nice yard. She loved to help and be useful in any way she could, and passed on that love of helping and hard work to her children and grandchildren. Animals were always a part of her life. Mom loved animals of all sorts, be it dogs, cats, horses, deer, elk, buffalo, goats, giraffes; you name it, she would always try to talk to them and wanted to feed them. Growing up we had many cats and dogs and her love for animals is reflected in her family. Grooming dogs was another one of her jobs & hobbies. She had two pure bred poodles named Coquette and Muffet who were show dogs. Mom and Gary entered shows and won many awards with these dogs. As time went on her kids were married and had children of their own. Sandy married Dave Newton and had two children, Ben and Stacy. Rick married Karol Golding, they had two children, Jarrod and Kara. Later Rick married Charlene Stevens and had one son, Dylan. Gary married Sherry Winterton and had four children, Jenny, Josh, Jo and Jordan. In all, Jean has 9 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, two of which are soon to be born. Jean got her nick name “Mona” after her first grandchild, Jarrod started calling her that and it stuck. Of all the jobs that she had, her favorite was making cabinets at Newco Industries with her son-in-law Dave. Dave wrote this about her, “You’ve made more malts, sanded more boards, dapped more countertops, carried more cabinets, counted more handles, eaten more dust, and cleaned more desks than anyone else I know.” Jean moved to be closer to her children in West Jordan in 1991, to a new home which she helped to build at 7174 S. 2470 W. She lived in the L.D.S. 27th Ward and had many friends and wonderful neighbors there. She especially enjoyed many years spending time with her dear friends at the Harman Senior Center in West Valley City. Jean spent the final 3 years of her life in a wheelchair after shattering her femur from a fall. She didn't let that get in the way of her wonderful and loving ways, nor her determination. Mona always thought she would walk again and never gave up trying. she made many friends at her final residence, The Legacy House, where she was adored by all who met her. She loved playing cards and was always on the hunt for recruits. She was often disappointed with the food there and mentioned she wished she could give the cook a few lessons. We love and will cherish all the memories we have with our dear, sweet Mona! A viewing will be held on Friday, January 19th from 6:00-8:00pm, at the church building on 2700 W. 7000 S. in West Jordan. Funeral services will be Saturday, on her 90th Birthday, January 20th at 10:30am, with a viewing prior starting at 9:30am at the same location. Irma “Jean” Firth Poulsen