Ladene Bird Damewood

Ladene Bird Damewood (95) returned to her Heavenly Father in the evening of April 17, 2023, in her son’s home surrounded by family members. Ladene was born November 10, 1927, in Logan, Utah, to Cyril and Blanche (Sorenson) Bird. One of the first women in her family to attend college, she graduated from BYU with a degree in teaching.

In 1948, Ladene served a mission in Australia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had the opportunity to tour the world by boat on her return home. Ladene later went on to teach in California and later as a Kindergarten teacher at E. M. Whiteside’s Elementary School in Layton, Utah for 33 years. She was a very beloved teacher, touched thousands of people’s lives, and strengthened all those she came into contact with. Some of her students went on to become mayors, world-renowned. authors, and some of the best neighbors a person could ever hope for.

In 1972, Ladene married Lawrence Damewood and became an instant mother to three beautiful children: Larry, Allen, and Patti. They later expanded their eternal family by adopting two boys: “Joey” and Josh Levi.

In addition to being the world’s best Mom, she was also the world’s best Grandma to twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was so much fun to spend time with, from Bird Family reunions in Mendon, Memorial Day visits to numerous cemeteries hours apart, and our traditional “June Birthdays” party. She never missed an opportunity to show someone she loved them. We are so blessed we have had her in our lives.

She was truly an example of love in action. She made countless beautiful, handmade quilts, fidget blankets, surprise gift bags, and constant secret services for friends, neighbors, and countless people she never knew. When her eyesight began to fail and was no longer able to see well enough to sew, she donated untold amounts of fabric and sewing supplies to those who could take up the tradition. She loved music, singing, and playing piano. Music seemed to follow wherever she went.

She loved going out to lunch with her friends, spending time with her “Lunch Bunch”, and talking with her treasured neighbors (who watched over her, kept her driveway clear of record-breaking snow, and so many other acts of kindness across the years). Her spirited laugh will be missed.

Ladene is preceded in death by her parents, Cyril and Blanche Bird; her brothers Vaughn “Bud”, and Lamar; her husband Lawrence Leo Damewood, Sr.; and her son Robert Allen Damewood. She is survived by her four children: Larry, Patti, Joe (Natalie) Levi, and Josh (Nikki) Levi; twelve grandchildren: Tawni (Daniel) Malcolm, Amy (Andrew) Hiller, Robert (Kirsten) Damewood, Laura (Justin) Richardson, Melissa (William) Purcell, Vincent Damewood, Michael Levi, Jessica (Geo Trujillo) Levi, Porter Levi, Spencer Levi, Erikka Levi, Darien Levi, and Theron Levi; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Our family would like to extend special thanks to Nancy, Jodie and Hailey with Assisting Hands Home Care: and to our team with Rocky Mountain Hospice – all who became part of our family over the last several months. Words cannot convey our heartfelt appreciation for all the love and care you provided for Mom – and for us.

Funeral services will be held Friday April 28, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Orchard Grove Chapel, 2680 East Cherry Lane, Layton, Utah. Friends may visit family Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Road in Layton, Utah and Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 at the church. 

ORDER VIDEOS