May 4, 1943 – Nov. 16, 2023
Rebecca Ann Heiniger was born in Tooele, Utah on May 4th, 1943, to Fred Werner Heiniger and Janet Elizabeth Matson Heiniger. She was the eldest of six children with four sisters and one brother. Her father was serving in the Army in Alaska during World War II when she was born. During her young life she moved frequently. Some of her favorite locations included Heber City, UT; Redwood Road in West Valley, UT; and Seattle, WA. She was always well-liked in high school and belonged to various clubs such as Glee Club and Pep Club. She spent a great amount of time with her cousins and developed lifelong friendships with them. Her best friend from birth was her cousin Mary Esther (Lowery) Herron.
She was extremely talented in many things. In 6th Grade she set a goal to win a handwriting contest. Her hard work paid off and she won. She also won the Outstanding Student Award that same year. She taught herself calligraphy which came in handy when she became a professional cake decorator. She always made beautiful cakes and many people approached her to do their wedding cake throughout the years. Her children loved this because they enjoyed all of the cake trimmings! Some of her other talents included watercolor, pastels, oil painting, porcelain doll making, stained glass art, cross-stitching, embroidery, quilting, and sewing. She had a deep appreciation of classical music and literature. She loved listening to Chopin and Listz. She had an extended collection of ornately bound classical books.
She met her husband years before she was formally introduced to him. He was an accordion player performing at a school function. She thought he was extremely good looking. It wasn’t until after high school that they attended the same taco party where they were introduced. Although she arrived with someone else, he was the one who drove her home. He invited her to a hunting banquet where he was going to receive an award. However, mom was doing a little hunting on her own. He was in her crosshairs. This was her only hunting trip, and she won the trophy. A few dates later he asked if she believed in love at first sight and she said “yes.” They were sealed together for eternity on February 8th, 1963, in the Logan, Utah Temple.
Their marriage was blessed with four adorable children, two daughters and two sons: Kellie, Brett, Lisa, and Matthew who are the recipients of all the gifts of the greatest parents on the planet! She was the ultimate grandma. Her ability to connect with, remember, and love her grandchildren was truly an art form. She poured her entire soul into her family. There was never a shortage of cookies in the jar or peanut butter and honey sandwiches.
She made friends everywhere she went and had a special relationship with a core of remarkable women. They have always been there for each other over the years. She worked closely with many people in her numerous church callings. She spent a large amount of time with the young women. One of her last callings was working with the Cub Scouts. She and Dad connected with them and, to this day, they still ask about her and remember her.
She faced her many discomforts and challenges with courage, faith, patience, and a steely toughness. She endured the refiner’s fire heroically throughout her entire life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack Courtney McEachern, Jr., and her granddaughter Ashley Granger.
She is survived by children Kellie (Joel) Campbell, Brett (Kris) McEachern, Lisa (Rick) Tanner, Matthew (Jeanine) McEachern, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings: Janet (Wayne) Sumner, Cathy (Richard) Cunningham, Gloria Hooper, David (Susan) Heiniger, Aline Shinder, and numerous extended family members.
Special appreciation given to Intermountain Medical Center and her numerous teams of caregivers. They were angelic ministers to our dear Becky!
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at 12 p.m., at the Tooele Stake Center, 253 S. 200 East. Viewings will be held Monday, Nov. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Tate Mortuary, and Tuesday, Nov. 28 prior to the funeral service from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.