Smurthwaite, Margaret Eleanor (Heywood) (1895-1992) Bio by Al and Phyl Heywood

(Margaret is the mother of the contributor, Richard Neal Heywood)

Margaret and her daughter, Josephine.

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Our Mother

Margaret Eleanor Smurthwaite Heywood

By

Alfred and Phyl Heywood

            We are grateful for the opportunity to add to the history of the Smurthwaite Family, a brief account of a very beloved member of that family, our mother, Margaret Eleanor Smurthwaite Heywood.

            She was born October 9, 1895 in Ogden, Utah, the third child and first daughter of Alfred and Margaret Eleanor Brown Smurthwaite.  The family later moved back to Wellsville where she spent her childhood and growing-up years.  She was christened "Margaret", but in her early years she was called Marguerite because of a popular song of the day with that title. Her parents sang the song together and began calling her "Marguerite."  They did this until "Marguerite" discovered who she really was, "Margaret"; then she insisted on being called by her real name.  Propriety was always one of her trademarks!

            Margaret was filled with zeal for life, much like her mother, and she seemed bequeathed with virtuous characteristics from her wonderful parents.  She was particularly influenced by her parents' English background, her father having emigrated from England at an early age.  She loved the amiable and enthusiastic atmosphere of her childhood home, and this was very apparent to the outsider looking on.  At the time of their courtship, Margaret's future husband, Leland Heywood, likened the family to that portrayed in the book and play, "Little Women," because of the love and affection he observed in their home.

Mildred died when almost 18.

            This love and affection within the home surely must have aggravated the pain caused by the loss of two of her eight siblings due to accidents.  Margaret often spoke with a certain wistfulness of her sister, Mildred, who was paralyzed from a fall from a tree at 8 years of age and died of complications when she was almost 18.  She remembered with sadness the Thanksgiving Day accident that took the life of her beloved brother, Armand.  He was just two years older than she, and was a great companion.  They had much fun together.  He would dance with her at the children's dances, and at home would practice the dance steps with her to give her confidence.  When it was his turn to select players for his side in active games like "Prisoner's Base" and Baseball he would choose her.  One can understand the terrible void that his passing left for her.

            Margaret was a quick, enthusiastic student.  She loved to learn and did exceptionally well in her studies.  She loved music and spoke of having a lead role in a school musical.  By the time she was in the eighth grade she had made such a good impression on her teachers that she was called upon to be a substitute teacher when the 1st grade teacher was absent.  This seemed to be the beginning of a great love for much of her life’s work, teaching school.

            Mom was the valedictorian of her graduating class and soon enrolled at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.  She was not able to finish her education at this time, but received her certificate to teach.  She returned to her beautiful Cache Valley to begin her teaching career at Logan, Utah. 

            It was in Logan while rooming with Velma Heywood that she met Velma's brother, Leland.  From the beginning she became attached to the Heywood family, as she, Velma, Leland and their brothers David and Yates spent many enjoyable times together.  The foursome planned to meet for an outing, but Leland caught Margaret alone before the others arrived.  He made what became a most memorable proposal in the kitchen with the dirty dishes and blots of jam and crumbs decorating the table.  He hurriedly asked her to marry him and her answer was an immediate "Yes", in spite of what she described as the "crumby, unromantic place to propose!"

            On August 16, 1921 Margaret received her endowments in the Salt Lake Temple.  The following day she and Leland both were given patriarchal blessings by Hyrum G. Smith, the Church Patriarch.  Then, the following day, August 18, 1921, Margaret and Leland were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple by Hyrum G. Smith.  Mother Smurthwaite was in attendance at the wedding.

            This marked the beginning of a very full and wonderful life together.  Margaret was truly a helpmeet to her husband, always willing to help him achieve the dreams that he had as a young man.  After Leland's first degree in pharmacy and working at drug stores in Mesa and Chandler, Arizona they decided that his interest was more in dentistry.  So Leland enrolled at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and Margaret helped sustain the family by teaching school.

            Margaret and Leland did not wait to begin their family.  On November 18, 1922 Margaret Josephine was born in Mesa, Arizona.  It was while they were in California that Barbara Lea was born, October 2, 1928 in Los Angeles, California.  Alfred Leland was born in Snowflake, Arizona on June 17, 1930.  Richard Neal was born April 10, 1933 also in Snowflake.  Carol Jayne was born July 3, 1940 and became a member of their family in April of 1945.

            Margaret has left a legacy for her family as a gracious, able and giving mother and grandmother.  She created a comfortable and beautiful home wherever she lived.  Carol remembers the shopping trips to Phoenix, seeing the newest styles and fabrics and then going home to have them recreated at home for a much-reduced price.  One way or another she saw to it that her family was well dressed, had educational opportunities, music lessons, all of the benefits that would lead them down the path to a full life. 

            Her attention for these things did not stop with her children, but carried on with her grandchildren.  They could not help but remember her and "Granddaddy's" willingness to help out in about every situation.  Her annual New Year's Eve parties for her children and grandchildren were anxiously awaited by all.  She and Jo would fill a piñata with a myriad of goodies and little toys for the children.  A delicious buffet was served with her most beautiful serving pieces.  She would give her readings for us all, "Betty and the Bar" and "The Twins", and then everyone would go on the hunt for a personal gift.  She would hide the gifts around the house.  It was a tradition long to be lovingly remembered.  Yes, Margaret was a wonderful family person.  But to the Mesa community she is remembered as "teacher".

            Actually, Margaret began her teaching career in her late teens.  She said that once she had successfully taught school at that young age she always retained a sense of security.  In addition to this sense of security she always displayed self-confidence.  These two attributes surely must have played a part in a lifetime optimism and self-confidence in the classroom where she was always in control.

            It was probably in her first teaching assignment where she first displayed her ability to "take charge" in the classroom.  Margaret was short, 5 feet, and slight of stature, but she could stand much taller than that and knew how to assert more than a slight effect upon any who might challenge her.  This was displayed throughout her career but began early on when she first taught in a one-room school with big and somewhat older farm boys who were bigger and stronger and (seemingly) tougher than Margaret.  When she recognized the potential problem, she confronted their leader and let him know who was in charge.  It seems that she, in effect, stared him down and the potential bullies were subdued.

            To say that she never had classroom problems would be to exaggerate, but few would compare in her ability to control a classroom.  She not only knew how to rise to any occasion, but also knew how to call upon a resource beyond herself.  She reported that sometimes, when things were not going just right, she would turn to the blackboard, as though writing something, and say "a little prayer", then things would just "smooth out."

            But classroom discipline is only a part of teaching, and Margaret excelled in other aspects as well.  Her students learned the facts, feelings and inspiration of great literature.  They learned to think and to systematically express their thoughts.  They learned the mechanics.  They learned to create.  They wanted to learn more.

            Margaret's teaching was without respect of persons.  She had the ability to bring out the best in the gifted, interested student as well as the disinterested.  She corrected without hesitation, but without demeaning the student.  She extended more help to those with extra interest and to those with extra needs.  It was not uncommon to find a student seated at her kitchen table in the evening receiving help on a writing project.

            One student expressed the impossibility of his being able to write a research paper.  He lacked the interest and the skill.  He disliked school and was ready to quit.  He had no hope for success in school.  Margaret, listened to his discouraged, despairing words and then asked what he was interested in.  He said, "Chickens."  She then sparked an interest and helped him write about his hobby of raising chickens.  This proved to be a turning point in his life.  He later became a successful teacher himself.

            Margaret's career included forty-seven years of teaching, ranging from the one room grammar school to the college classroom.  She taught in Plymouth, Wellsville, Smithfield, and Bingham Canyon, Utah; St. Johns and Youngberg, Arizona; she taught for twelve years in Los Angeles, California and for twenty years at Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona.

            It was while at Mesa High School that she reached the mandatory retirement age of 65. How she happened to teach there for two extra years makes an interesting tale.  Margaret claimed neither interest nor skill in mathematics.  As a child she knew her age, but she felt no confidence in figuring the year of her birth.  She decided to rely on a fellow student for this fact and asked a boy her age "who was good at math" to give her year of her birth.  It seems he knew his year of birth and related to her with confidence -- 1896.  She assumed that it was correct and entered that date on documents from that time on.  All official and unofficial records included this year of birth.  Margaret didn't discover her correct year of birth until proof was needed for a passport application.  During the research needed to create a birth certificate, it was discovered she was born in 1895 instead of 1896.  She let the record stand and was therefore allowed to teach an extra.    Then, because she was a department head they allowed an additional “extra” year.  Thus, she taught at Mesa High School two years beyond the usual mandatory retirement age of 65.  Then, she taught an additional 5 years at the Church College of Hawaii (now BYU Hawaii campus)!

            As we, her family, meet her former students we have good feelings as they express their love and appreciation for the influence of their teacher.  She will be long remembered in the schools, community and church.

            One's greatest influence is within the home and family, and Margaret will always have the love and admiration of her posterity.  She saw to it that each need was fulfilled.  Her energy, enthusiasm and optimism were boundless.  At least ninety of her ninety-six years found her in excellent health, which we attribute to her prudent living, i.e., daily exercises, good eating habits and positive attitude.  Margaret was full of faith, loving and serving the Lord throughout her life.  Her family is very grateful for the legacy that she left for them.

            In her later years Margaret was called to teach a class on child rearing in Relief Society.  One of her lessons was on "Grandmothering".  She wrote the following:

"What Can Grandmothers Do?"

            As the matriarch of the Leland Heywood family, just what can I do to help that family?  Well, I have written for them and for my brothers and sisters the life stories of my parents, Alfred Smurthwaite and Margaret Ellen Brown, both estimable people.

            I am planning my life story and that of my husband, hoping that our influence with our extended family might prove beneficial and inspirational in their lives.  In fact, I hope that we shall never be forgotten!

            As an old woman, lonely and frail in health, I can still do some constructive things if I will to do so; and I so will it!

            I can be cheerful, not complaining or bitter, not, as my father would have phrased it "forever belly-aching!"  Yes, I can smile and be cheerful.

            I desire the approval of my grandchildren.  I can turn on the charm for them.  I can still talk of optimism and courage with a pair of shining eyes and an optimistic giggle.  Over and above that, I can give them assurance of my approval of them, of my acceptance of them as they are, no matter what.  I might find it difficult to refrain from pointing out faults and weaknesses; but always, on closer view, I can find something to praise, to stimulate faith and to awaken courage.

            Then we settle down to a discussion of material needs.  Somehow we manage to meet the semester fees and book needs.  We see that those ever-recurring repair problems with the car are paid for when need arises.  Yes, somehow, they must manage to get to and from.  Above all, they must have a scholastic, technical or mechanical education sufficient to insure fair and equal competition in our industrial world.

            I can keep my home a pleasant place for my grandchildren to enjoy.  They seem to relax here where they find quiet and order.  I can work in the yard keeping the walks swept, the weeds pulled and flowers planted.  I enjoy work.  "Work", you know, "is love made visible."

            I can make my small contribution to the Church and the community.  I try to support civic projects such as the Community Chest, the Mesa Symphony and the Mesa Little Theater.  I desire my grandchildren to grow up in a town furnishing much in cultural advantages.  Surely they should know that I do my bit towards making their home city a desirable place in which to live.

            I set my example before my family in keeping family records.  I urge them to begin their accurate record keeping now.

By Margaret S. Heywood, at age 87

     Love and service to family, school, church, and community are her legacy.   She truly did have the “will to do” and she “did it” for each of us.  For her, we express our love and appreciation.