Helen Woodvine McVey Mann

Helen Woodvine McVey Mann, age 94, passed away September 29, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mom was born November 6, 1929 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Harry and Mollie Woodvine. She married Tom McVey in Pocatello, Idaho on October 1, 1950, later sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. Mom and dad were devoted to each other and family raising children in Twin Falls, Idaho, Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, California. After dad’s passing in 1994, mom remarried Rodney Mann on November 5, 1996. She lived in St. George, Utah for the last 25 years of her life, where she loved the people in the Emerald Springs Community, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and her Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward.

At a young age, mom discovered that she had a gift for singing. She participated in musicals and several choirs, and singing opera. Mom shared her gift of singing with many, including performing with the Boise ID Philharmonic, the Portland OR Philharmonic, and several vocal groups including the Portland-based New Oregon Singers where she and dad traveled the world entertaining troops, and performing for country dignitaries and religious leaders.

Mom found the LDS faith as a child through good caring neighbors, was baptized when she was 8 and never faltered in her devotion to Christ. She and dad served an LDS mission to the London England Visitor’s Center in 1986-1987. She also served as a temple worker with Rod in St. George, Utah and they sang with the Heritage Choir. Mom was passionate about the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She served as a relief society president, young women’s president and conducted or directed many choirs. Mom and Dad enjoyed people, tennis, golf, boating, fishing and taught us a love of the outdoors.

Mom is survived by her brother Charles Woodvine, children Tom (Ann) McVey, Karen Wells, Doug (Tammy) McVey and Diane (Scott) Ward, 16 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and numerous step grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Tom McVey and second husband Rod Mann, brother Galen Woodvine, son-in-law Larry Wells, and granddaughter Rebekah Wells.

Funeral services will be held on Friday October 4th at 10:00am at the Crestview Chapel (2795 East Crestview Drive, SLC) with a viewing at 9:00am. Interment and grave dedication will be at Memorial Estates (3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights).