Beverly Joan Rush Schrum

March 17, 1937 – February 21, 2025

Beverly Joan (Rush) Schrum, 87, of Layton, died peacefully in the early hours of Friday, February 21, 2025. She was born on a snowy St Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1937, in Washington, PA, the first child of Harry Leo (Lefty) Rush and Josephine (Jaye) Ruth Marra. Bev spent her elementary years in Washington, PA until her father transferred with US Steel and they moved to Mercerville, New Jersey during her junior year of high school. In New Jersey, she was surrounded by the history of the revolutionary war, and lived a few blocks from a historical landmark where George Washington had one of his camps; she loved living near and visiting historic places throughout her life. Later, when she was living in Hamilton, NJ, Bev served as a docent and tour guide in Kuser Mansion, a historic home in the area. She always loved learning and graduated from Hamilton High School with high honors. At the age of 21, Bev married Donald Howard Schrum, on August 30, 1958 in Hamilton, NJ in the United Methodist Church (no longer standing) and they built a life together for 66 ½ years. They lived in multiple locations across the country including: Yardley, PA; Hamilton, NJ; Provo, UT; East Moline, Ill; Flatwoods/Russell, KY; Lawrenceville, NJ; Newtown, PA; and Clinton, Syracuse, and most recently Layton, UT. They raised four children and each was born in a different state. Having been raised a Protestant, Bev converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with Don in 1963. They moved to Provo, UT to attend Brigham Young University, and were soon sealed together for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple in 1964. Bev eventually earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s degree in Journalism from Trenton State College, now known as The College of New Jersey, which served her well when her children were grown. Bev worked for the State of New Jersey in various departments including: the New Jersey Legislature, the Department of Personnel, the Mercer County Court System, and the Department of Labor. She also wrote articles for various local newspapers. Church Service was an important part of Beverly’s life wherever they lived. She fulfilled many assignments including serving as a Stake Primary President, Stake Relief Society President, and as a Public Affairs and Cultural Arts Director. She and Don served in the Ogden Temple for six years, followed by a mission in the Church History Library, and Bev later served as a local service missionary teaching English Classes to non-native speakers. Beverly loved reading, writing, and editing. She also enjoyed overseeing Family Home Evening groups, directing a book club, and producing various monthly newsletters, and won several awards for her efforts. She spent many hours collecting meaningful quotes and stories, and loved to share them with all her family, friends, and neighbors. Bev also wrote scripts for children’s puppet shows. She designed and created numerous puppets, which her children used to perform in a traveling wooden puppet stage designed by Don. They gave performances for Nature Centers, various schools, and church groups. Bev is survived by her husband, Don and their four children: David (Christine Collins Schrum), Kelly (Richard) Hutchins, Adam (Diana Gil Pages) Schrum, and Amy (Jason) Wilde; her siblings: Harry (Raynelle) Rush, Mary Ann (Fred) Stowell, and Chuck (Claudette) Rush; and by 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. There will be a viewing Thursday February 27 from 6-7:00 pm at Myers Mortuary in Layton: 250 N. Fairfield Drive. Another viewing will be held Friday February 28 at 10:00 am, followed by the funeral at 11:00 am at the same location. Interment will follow at the Syracuse City Cemetery: 1250 S 1000 W in Syracuse, UT. All are welcome. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.myers-mortuary.com.