Sandra Adelia Bybee Ward

Sandra Adelia Bybee Ward, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away April 18, 2024. Born April 19, 1941, in Tropic, UT. Mom was the youngest of Levi and Ella Bybee’s fourteen children. 

Her life began in the rustic home of a local midwife. She was raised in the small town of Tropic, Utah, nestled under the rim of Bryce Canyon. She loved growing up in a large and busy family amidst vegetable gardens, orchards, and farm animals.

She worked at Bryce Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Lodge as a waitress. She enjoyed hiking in and around the canyons. She loved working in the dining rooms surrounded by majestic views. 

She graduated from Bryce Valley High School, Dixie College, and Utah State University with a teaching certificate in English. She was a substitute teacher and preschool teacher in her earlier years. 

She met the love of her life, Terry Ward, in her English Poetry class at Dixie College. She married him in the St. George, UT temple on June 15, 1962. They are the parents of six daughters. Mom found her greatest joy in serving and nurturing her family. She included her children in everything she did; creating a home where all who entered felt loved and accepted. Each one of her grandchildren felt her love and warmth through the many quilts she made for them. A favorite memory of her daughters was her tradition of baking something delicious for them to eat after school. 

She is preceded in death by her companion, Terry; her parents Levi and Ella Bybee; Siblings June, Waldon, Jean, Clive, Cryl, Levi, Ella, Clyde, Erna, Erma, Giavonna, Mark and Mary. Daughters Sherrie Lynn Ward and Jalane Ward. Survived by her daughters, Christine (Paul) Russell, Leslie (John) Holmgren, Wendy (Tom) Gale, and Jenny (Doug) Kenner; 10 grandsons and 11 granddaughters, and 8 greatgrandchildren. 

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 27 at Peel Funeral Home, 8525 W Magna Main Street, Magna UT. The viewing will be from 10-11 with services to follow from 11:15-12:30. Internment at Valley View Memorial Park. 4391 West 4100 South, West Valley City, UT.