Beth Harwood

Beth Louise Harwood

1923 ~ 2015

In a perfectly manicured yard, dotted with pink flamingos, plastic animals, and metal creatures crafted with love by her brother, a tiny lady could be seen backing in her car after her third or fourth trip of the day. This woman was Beth Louise Harwood, but we all knew her as Aunt Beth. Aunt Beth passed away at home on February 12, 2015 after 91 years. Her loving niece and devoted caretaker Connie was by her side.

Aunt Beth was born June 16, 1923 in Stockton Utah and was the middle of five children born to Arthur and Nellie Harwood. Her softball talent earned her the nickname “Babe Ruth of Stockton.” Beth formed a lifelong friendship with Dessie Barber. She and Dessie shared their backyards, their family, and their love for everyone around them. Outside of home, Aunt Beth held many different occupations from bouncing to bartending to search and rescue. Her proudest role was spent driving a truck for thirty years for the Army Depot in Tooele with a perfect safety record.

Living proof of the saying “dynamite comes in small packages,” Aunt Beth was a force to be reckoned with. She was simultaneously loving, strong, kind, fierce, independent, and fun. She could whistle like a songbird and yodel like a Swiss mountaineer. Aunt Beth loved fishing, polishing her cars, gardening, and the Utah Jazz (Gordon Hayward especially, whom she called “her boy”). Meticulous and organized, her garage could double as an Ace Hardware store. Although she had a massive collection of tools, the strongest thing Beth ever built was her close relationships with family and life-time friends through her desire to make everyone feel welcome and loved. As you crossed the gate out of Beth’s yard, you could always hear her say “come and see us!” Beth has crossed the gate this time, but we can still hear that familiar phrase and look forward to the day we will see her again. She was preceded in death by life partner Edie Smith, then Judy Rocco, with whom she shared over twenty happy years.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the Tooele Cemetery (100 E. 400 S. Tooele, UT).