Jean Jorgensen Giles' Obituary
Jean Jorgensen Giles passed away peacefully March 26, 2023, at her home in Bountiful, Utah surrounded by her family.
She was born in Heber City on November 14, 1933, to Joseph L. and Alice Probst Jorgensen and was raised in Midway with her 3 siblings. She remained especially close to her sisters JoAnn & Ema throughout her life.
Jean graduated with honors from Wasatch High School in 1952. After raising her children, she earned a degree from Utah State University.
She played the piano and had a beautiful singing voice performing in duets, trios, and double trios. Jean was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of her favorite callings was ward music director where she served for many years, not only as the director but as a singing teacher. She knew the favorite hymns of many ward members and would often step forward a little and look directly at them as the congregation sang their song.
Jean married John (Phil) Giles in 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple, and for 69 years had a near perfect marriage; completely devoted to each other. The first 2 years of their marriage were spent in the U.S. Army. Upon their return to Utah, they reconnected with some of their High School classmates and formed what they called “The Club”. They continued to socialize with this group for many, many years.
She and Phil raised 3 children, Kathy Crosby (Jim), Alan Giles (Dana), and Beckie Openshaw (Mike). They have 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, #10 arriving June 2023.
Jean had a life-long love for reading. Fittingly, she became a librarian for the Davis County School District, where her love of books and literature grew. Jean would often be found in the library surrounded by children attentively listening to her read.
When her 3 children were younger, she packed up everything without complaint and went to live in Germany and for a short time in Italy where Phil had a job assignment with his company.
After a fair amount of encouragement from her family she learned to like camping, boating and water sports. They spent many vacations at Bear Lake and at Lake Powell on their houseboat.
For 15 years she and Phil enjoyed their home in Yuma, Arizona socializing with friends old and new while escaping the Utah winters.
Jean never left the house without getting “dolled up”, whether going to the grocery store, a formal affair or anywhere in between, she always looked classy. She had a quick wit and a bit of spunk. She could sling out zingers with the best of them. These loving cracks were most often directed at Phil who took them as intended.
Jean’s focus was always centered on her family. She loved completely, fiercely, and unselfishly. One of her biggest sources of joy and pride was being a grandma. She became known as GG and had a special bond with every one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her parents and older brother Paul preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 1:00 p.m MDT at the Mueller Park 1st Ward, 850 East 1800 South Bountiful. A viewing will take place from 11:00-12:30 before the service.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Davis School District Memorial Book Fund https://dsdgive.net/event/2917
Should you wish to send flowers, kindly have them delivered to the church 1-2 hours prior to the viewing.
For those who were unable to attend the funeral services, a recording has been made available at: https://youtu.be/70fxn710loQ
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