Roselyn Nebeker Kirk

When Roselyn Kirk sailed into the sunset off Coronado Beach on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, an era ended and a rich legacy remained.
Her grandchildren will always remember how she accepted each of them unconditionally, just as they are, without judgment. She relished asking them questions to know about their lives. Remembering important events, she and Ron put on their game faces and showed up for innumerable birthday parties, games, concerts, and school activities. Roselyn planned for precious one-on-one time alone when she would always say, “You’re my favorite!”
Ron, her true favorite; her children: Jeff, Cindy, Marci, Steve, Becca, 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, her extended family and friends; have all found grace in the love and loyalty Roselyn generously gave them. They will love her forever.
Roselyn was one in a million and ahead of her time. Being raised on a working ranch in Daggett County, Utah, did not affect her eagerness to understand the world. Roselyn was busy—mothering orphaned lambs and doing the hard chores. As the oldest child, she was responsible for watching out for her little sister Ruthanne and younger brother Robert. She didn’t like authority figures telling her what to do—thus her feisty attitude.  She was the real deal, authentic and original. Modeling these traits to her daughters and granddaughters has brought out their strengths and individuality. Roselyn’s sons can attest that their sisters are not shrinking violets.
The Kirk family goes to the Conner Basin ranch as often as possible because they love the land, just as Roselyn did.  They teach their kids and grandkids how to make sloppy red dirt pie and scour the mountains for the legendary buried treasure, just as Roselyn taught them. What she lacked in domestic talents, she more than made up for in working non-stop to write precious history and ancestral stories for all her posterity.  She typically wrote by the side of a swimming pool sipping a Diet Coke, typing on her laptop in her lounge chair, wearing her favorite swimsuit, soaking up the sun. Sunscreen be damned.  The sun was her life force and she never wasted it. In her spare time, Roselyn wrote chapter books about each of her grandchildren, describing their talents and personalities as the books’ main characters.
Love of literature was sparked in Roselyn from a very young age. She recited nursery rhymes to all within earshot and read every book she could check-out at the library. Throughout her life she loved to read the classics, rehearse mythological legends, recite poetry and quote lines from Chaucer. Hemingway’s Snows of Kilimanjaro inspired her to go on safari in Africa. Undaunted by time, distance and cost, (to Ron’s chagrin), she traveled to Africa in her 70s and talked about it endlessly afterward.
Being selected as valedictorian of her Green River, Wyoming senior class was one of many honors motivating Roselyn to continue her studies in journalism, English literature, and communications at Utah State University, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Utah.  Roselyn met Ron through friends at the University of Wyoming. She loved his “everything will work out” approach to life and married her handsome First Lieutenant.  As fate would dictate, Ron was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas on military duty. Roselyn adapted and took concentrated courses to earn her Bachelors Degree in Journalism from Kansas State University with a 3.8 GPA. Studying at four universities and graduating in four years was extremely difficult then, and next to impossible now.
Roselyn wanted to have an impact on peoples’ lives, so she decided to teach.  While raising her children, she completed graduate studies in Education at the University of Utah and received her Masters Degree in Education. She made the impact she had envisioned, nurturing the education of hundreds of students, initially at Cottonwood High School, then as Professor of Communications at Salt Lake Community College. Her passion for teaching was recognized in her second year at SLCC when she received the honor of “Teacher of the Year.” With all her responsibilities, she was still able to co-own a bookstore with her mutually book-obsessed friend.  She also allowed time to serve her church and community.
The rigors of teaching were not a barrier to Roselyn’s decision to serve as Councilwoman for District 6 on the Salt Lake City Council from 1985-1996. She enjoyed the hard work and asked the tough questions, collaborating with allies and opponents alike to address the concerns of constituents and beautify the City.
Roselyn involved herself with passion, empathy, welcoming diversity, being a voice for the less fortunate and telling the truth. Her greatest joy is her family.  As it turns out, Ron was the man Roselyn wanted and needed. 65 years of marriage is proof positive.  Ron’s devoted care for Roselyn during her long illness is an example of the highest form of love.
An open house celebrating Roselyn’s life, will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 1:00-4:00 pm at 4986 South Fairbrook Lane, Holladay, Utah 84117.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to any of the following charities. https://www.theroadhome.org/give/donate/in-honor-and-memory/
ttp://utahfoodbank.orghttps://secure.utahfoodbank.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2660&2660.donation=form1&chosen=50
https://isatcenter.org/  
https://www.ywcautah.org/donate/
Service Information

Celebration of Life
June 5, 2021 at 1:00-4:00 PM
4986 South Fairbrook Lane, Holladay, UT 84117