Barbara Rae Steele

ST. GEORGE, Utah -- Barbara Rae Steele, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died May 12, 2008, after a long battle with Cancer at the age 72. Barbara was born January 28, 1936, to Ray and Mabel Hickcox in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the elder sister to Lynn Hickcox who preceded her in death, Judy Seiders and Brent Hickcox. She graduated in Nursing from the BYU in 1959, one year after her marriage to Richard T. Steele in June of 1958 in Salt Lake City. Her passing was one month short of their 50th wedding anniversary. She and her devoted family celebrated the anniversary last month anticipating the advance of cancer. Certainly, while very proud of her degree as an RN, her primary career was her family, where she excelled to a remarkable degree. Mother to Michael (Karen) of Salt Lake; John (Sharalee) of Salt Lake; and Stephanie (Scott) of St. George; and grandmother to 19 bright, fun, beautiful people: Matt and Lauren Steele; Collin, Chase, Colton, Coy, and Callee Steele; Megan, Brandon, Paige, Jeffrey, Jade, Aleena, Jenaya, Bryce, Kyle, Shebree, TeAnna, and Ryan Bulloch. Her grandchildren adored her and cherished the time they spent with her. Barbara could brighten any room she entered with grace and love.

She was always friendly to everyone, showing a deep interest in their lives. She was a deeply committed member of the LDS Church and it was the foundation of her life. She happily served in any and every calling asked of her as she taught in many capacities, was chorus director, and compassionate leader in Relief Society. She also spent many hours serving her community: docent at the Art Museum, member of the Celebrity Series Guild, and Cancer Drive volunteer. The expression "joined at the hip" expresses her relationship to her husband. They were best friends and eternally in love. They were fortunate to be able to retire at an early age and had many fun vacations. She especially enjoyed their yearly trips to Indian Wells to watch pro tennis. She will be missed by us all.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 16, 2008, at 12 noon, at the Green Valley LDS 3rd Ward Chapel, 500 S. Indian Hills Drive, St. George, Utah. A Visitation will be held Thursday, from 6-8 p.m., at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Boulevard.

A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 12 noon at the Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1342 E. 5th S., Salt Lake City, Utah, under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.

Published in the Deseret News on 5/15/2008.

Spouse:

Richard Thomas Steele (1933 - 2012)

Created by: Ryan D. Curtis

Record added: May 15, 2008

Find A Grave Memorial# 26835687