Happy 100th Birthday Christine Grover
On Wednesday, September 17, Christine Grover of Springville will celebrate her 100th Birthday. Her family will honor her at an Open House on September 6, from 3 - 5 p.m. in the Springville Spring Creek South Stake Center (355 N. 400 E.)
Christine was the ninth child born to James and Frances Donaldson in Hachita, New Mexico. She has seven brothers and two sisters. Her mother died when she was just six years old. The year after her baptism into the LDS church, her 19 year old sister took Christine and her 3 year old sister to Utah to live with an Uncle and Aunt for 10 years. Her father thought the three girls would have more advantages in Utah. He remained in New Mexico with her brothers.
Christine, at age 19, moved to Westwood, California to live with a sister and her family. Her sister and family moved to Marysville but Christine remained in an apartment in Westwood. She soon met Calvin Grover who came to California from Idaho. At the age of 22 they were married March 5, 1937 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.
The first of their seven children was born in April, 1938. She bore five daughters and two sons, the last child was born in June, 1959. They remained in California until 1962 when they moved to Springville. They rented a house while Calvin started building a home for them. They moved into their new home in 1963 in which Christine still resides.
Immediately upon arrival in their new home in 1963, Calvin and Christine became members of an adult married church group that met regularly to study and learn from books and speakers. It eventually became a social group that meets monthly to have dinner and enjoyment. She still attends.
Christine and Calvin enjoyed dancing. They both sang in ward choirs. She took piano lessons soon after they were married. She accompanied Calvin when he was invited to sing solos. They served a senior couple mission in the San Antonio Texas Mission during 1978-80. Calvin passed away on July 12, 1993. Their oldest child passed away in 2006. Soon after Calvin passed away, Christine started taking organ lessons which lasted for 10 years, well into her 80’s. She has both a piano and an organ in her home.
Christine is currently a visiting teacher to three women, and the chorister in Relief Society.
She is also the chair person of another social group. She has served, in California or Utah, as Relief Society president, counselor and pianist; Primary teacher and chorister; and young women teacher.
Christine still cooks, scrubs and waxes her kitchen floor, and weeds around her roses. Family or friends help with other needs. She has always loved music, reading and gardening. Due to weak eyes, she has a machine which magnifies everything so she can read and memorize the music, plus read lessons, magazines, mail, etc.
Christine has been blessed, not only with seven children, but also with 34 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. With a family that size she is grateful she can attend all the many family events.
Christine loves to receive visits by everyone, especially by family members, Church Priesthood home teachers and Relief Society visiting teachers. She is thankful for family who often take her to lunch or dinner and take her shopping and to church. A ward member drives her home each Sunday. Also thanks to those friends and family who transport her to social events, funerals, wedding receptions, etc. She is always early to church on Sunday. She is fun to be with. She gets exercise by walking around her block in the mornings. She is an example of faith, love, hard work, service, dedication and endurance.
Happy Birthday Christine!