Leilani Bentley Obituary (1926 - 2009)

Leilani M. Bentley, deeply rooted in the culture, the history, and the people of Parowan, died peacefully November 28th after battling lupus. She was surrounded by grandchildren and her four children: Clint, Gail, Chuck and Kristen. It is difficult to let her go."Sweet Leilani" born July 31, 1926, to Simmy and Helen McNicoll in Honolulu, Hawaii, learned at a young age from many moves, beautiful social grace and a killer competitive edge. As a young girl she spent summers in Parowan and fell in love: with the town and then, Garry H. Bentley. Later, Leilani married Garry in Parowan on December 13, 1946, and they had a family of four children, ten grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren. She welcomed in as her own: daughters-in-law Anne (Chuck) and Cindy (Clint), and sons-in-law Larry (Kristen) and Jim (Gail), nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters-in-law; also former daughter-in-law Patty Bentley. They, and all of her special friends, were part of the Parowan experience that she loved. Additional to being a great mom and grandma, she dedicated time and talent to being a public servant for the community she dearly loved: Historical Preservation, Brian Head Zoning, Heritage Foundation , and Main Street Board were some of the civic commitments in which she invested her talent and time.Many, many Parowan High School students during Mrs. Bentleys twenty years of teaching can recite with vivid memory and detail the lessons learned from her in Spanish, English, P.E., History, Humanities, A.P., Model U.N., Sterling Scholar, and the beloved Rammettes. Most likely, they were lessons of discipline, hard work, integrity, and excellence. And with deep reverence she taught of the Founding Fathers and The Constitution.Following her retirement, she continued as an educator, serving on the Iron County School Board for two terms, a service that well-suited her passionate belief in the value of education.Leilani had a quiet, enduring faith. She served - always - with church callings of Gospel Doctrine teacher, Young Women and Primary Presidencies, and most recently Ward Historian. Often there was a great pot of soup, bread, and a cake prepared for an ailing neighbor or a church activity.We all know how she loved to beautify her surroundings: home and yard decorated beautifully for each season as a most gracious hostess and an open-door policy for all.All of this was satisfying, but nothing, ever, took precedence over family. Each child and grandchild reflects richly on the family experiences created by her: Lake Powell, sports, GBL (grandmas baseball league), peach torte, weddings, and parties, etc; resulting in a tight-knit family unit bound by traditions, respect, and love. Oh, how we love her.We are happy that Mom and Dad are together - for she missed him. She was preceded in death by her husband, Garry H. Bentley, and her dear sister, Maylo M. Wilson, also former son-in-law James B. Burns. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at the Parowan 3rd Ward in Parowan, Utah. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, from 6:30-8:00 pm at the church, and again on Thursday, December 3, 2009, from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment will be in the Parowan City Cemetery.