(LR) Owner and Funeral Director Jodi Spilsbury Snow poses with son Laysen Snow and father Ted Spilsbury, St. George, Utah, Oct. 12, 2022 | Jessie Vann, St. George News photo by
st. George —After 56 years in the business, Ted Spilsbury and his wife Vivian passed on the legacy of the Spilsbury Mortuary to their daughter, Jodi Spilsbury Snow. A celebration was held last Wednesday to mark the occasion.
“I’ve been in the industry for about 56 years and I’m not tired,” says Ted Spilsbury. “We have never run out of gas, but we are grateful to have made it happen. This is a funeral gem and we are a major player in this town.”
Spilsbury-Snow took over the family business in September and is now the owner and mortician of Spilsbury Mortuary & Cremation Service. Her son, Laisen Snow, currently serves as Acting Vice President. Ted Spilsbury said his grandson was kind, gentle, shy, and someone people would never forget.
Spilsbury said of the family business: “My daughter is the best undertaker, technician, and woman I know on this planet. She has the same mentality as I do. She handles this business better.” I couldn’t let anyone do it.”
This legacy began when Ted Spilsbury’s father graduated from the morgue in 1939. Spilsbury Funeral Home then acquired Cedar City’s Pickett Mortuary. After his name change and family business with his brother-in-law, Ted Spilsbury took over the family business. Together, his father-son duo makes nearly his 85 years in the funeral industry.
“I estimate in my career that I have probably helped over 12,000 families,” he said.
After marrying his wife, Vivian, in 1967, Spilsbury moved to Los Angeles and attended the California College of Mortuary Science. and was on standby every night and every other week. Each call included a meeting with the funeral director, participation in the call, returning the deceased to the funeral home and embalming. At the time, the couple lived above a morgue and were earning about $237 a month.
“I never worked so hard in my life,” he said. “I don’t remember sleeping through the night. But I got a real education. I worked for ten embalmers.”
They enjoyed their time in California, but Vivian Spilsbury said they were desperate to go home and decided to move to Cedar City. Joined the Spilsbury family business consisting of two morgues. It was a blessing, she said, but it wasn’t without its challenges.
In their first year at Cedar City, they only received 12 calls. Before mobile phones and fax machines, getting an obituary in a newspaper was a difficult task. I took the bus to a cafe late at night and called the Tribune and Deseret News to make sure it was in the papers.
“Where this business came from, from where I started to where it is now, is incredible,” said Ted Spilsbury. “The greatest compliment I can receive is to be honored at a funeral, and I believe we have achieved that.
Spilsbury hasn’t completely stepped away from the business, but he continues to do more to support his daughter and make sure his family is well taken care of.Enjoying other things in life Now that they have more time, the couple are buying more cattle, building a new cabin on Kolob’s ranch, and planning their first cruise.
“I have never been away from this business more than seven days at a time in my life,” says Vivian Spilsbury. “We are here every minute.”
Ted Spilsbury would like to thank the many people who have supported him over the years, including his wife, grandchildren, daughter, partners of 15 years Mike and Lori Beard, and longtime employee Tony. represented. whitney his secretaries Cindy Hoot and Connie Zdanich;
“This is great business,” he said. “What you are going through is a tender moment. I realize the impact this has on people’s lives and how important it is for families to honor their loved ones in a way that allows them to move forward.”
Photo gallery
Ted and Vivian Spilsbury pose in front of the statue in the Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah, October 12, 2022 | Photo by Jesse Bunn, St. George News
(LR) Owner and Funeral Director Jodi Spilsbury Snow poses with son Laysen Snow and father Ted Spilsbury, St. George, Utah, Oct. 12, 2022 | Jessie Vann, St. George News photo by
Ted and Vivian Spilsbury pose in front of the Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah, October 12, 2022 | Photo by Jesse Bunn, St. George News
Food served at the Spilsbury Celebration, St. George, Utah, Oct. 12, 2022 | Photo by Jesse Bunn, St. George News
Food served at the Spilsbury Celebration, St. George, Utah, Oct. 12, 2022 | Photo by Jesse Bunn, St. George News
Fruit served at the Spilsberry Celebration in St. George, Utah, Oct. 12, 2022 | Photo by Jesse Bunn, St. George News
St. George, Utah, October 12, 2022 | Photo of Ted and Vivienne Spilsbury in celebration Photo by Jessie Bunn, St. George News
The Spilsbury Mortuary sign as seen from Bluff Street, St. George, Utah, October 12, 2022 | Photo by Jessie Bunn, St. George News
Ted and Vivian Spilsbury are outside enjoying their time together. The location and date have not been specified. Photo credit: Cindy Foote, St. George News
(LR) Three generations photo of Raycen Snow, Ted Spilsbury and Jody Spilsbury-Snow posing together, location and date not specified | Photo credit: Cindy Foote, St. George News
Ted and Vivian Spilsbury smile for the camera. The location and date have not been specified. Photo credit: Cindy Foote, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.
Comments
Post a Comment