Irene Hyatt

Irene Marsden Hyatt 91, passed away on August 19, 2009, from heart failure at her home in Cedar City, Utah. Irene was born in Parowan, Utah on October 8, 1917 to Della Davenport and William Marsden. She lived in Parowan until her marriage to Milton Holt Hyatt in the St. George Temple on October 6, 1939. They moved to Cedar City, Utah shortly after their marriage. Milton passed away March 21, 2001. As a young child, Irene took piano lessons from her mother in Parowan, Utah. After advancing beyond her mothers skill, Irenes father drove Irene and her sister to Cedar City to take piano lessons from a certified instructor. She started her accompanying career by playing for Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School, and Mutual at age 12 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has remained in church service in this venue for approximately 80 years. Her entire life has been devoted to musical service in the church, schools and community. A music scholarship was awarded to attend B.A.C., Branch Agricultural College, where Irene accompanied chorus and symphony orchestra classes. After graduation, another musical scholarship was awarded to attend BYU where she accompanied the mens, ladies, and mixed choirs. In Provo, Irene paid for her private piano lessons by cleaning houses every Saturday morning. During the 38 years the Irene worked for Iron County School District, she accompanied high school chorus classes and worked as secretary for six different principals at Cedar City Junior High and Cedar City Middle School. After-school hours were taken up with giving private piano lessons to several hundred students. Her dance band career started by playing the piano in a small band at Parowan High School and ended by tickling the ivories in the Starlighters Dance Band for 15 years. This group played in various communities from Pioche, Nevada to Fillmore, Utah. The Starlighters name came from playing in several open-air dance halls, numbering among them, Kanarraville, Marysville, and the remains of the one you see traveling down Interstate 15 by Pintura. Irene became a major accompanist for the Master Singers Organization. During that time, the group consisted of 120 members, and they sang concerts in Zion and Bryce National Park, Beaver, Parowan, western Nevada and in every church ward in Cedar valley. Of the original group, about 7-10 members are still singing their hearts out. Inherited from her mother was her love of gardening, especially roses. Many people remarked on their beauty as they walked past the Hyatt house on 500 West. This pastime created many happy hours of enjoyment for Irene. Throughout her life, she also piece quilted for her children at their marriage and crocheted many baby blankets for her grandchildren. Irene is survived by her children Leon Hyatt (Jerrolyn), Aliene Overly (Don), Donna Rae Jones (Kent), and Brent Hyatt (Jan). They had 19 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her three sisters, Florence Holt, Louise Bluhm and Mary Jane Stewart, and one brother, Kent Marsden. Irene was preceded in death by two brothers, Carlyle and Ralph. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 24, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Cedar 7th Ward located at 256 South 900 West in Cedar City, Utah. Both visitations will be held at the Church, Sunday, August 23, 2009 from 6:30-8:30 pm and on Monday, August 24, 2009 from 9:30-10:30 am. Internment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Southern Utah Hospice and staff for their compassion and extended care of their mother.