Janette was born on June 7, 1933 in Springville, Utah to Thomas Leonard and Hannah Carrick Callister. She grew up in Spanish Fork and was always proud of her Spanish Fork roots and friendships. After high school she worked for a year for Hughes Memorial Hospital, then attended Brigham Young University. She majored in clothing and textiles ­ she loved clothes and was always a fashionable dresser. She graduated from BYU in 1969, finishing school after her children were born.

While at BYU, Janette met and fell in love with Robert Hyrum Hales. The two were married June 29, 1955 in the Salt Lake City LDS temple. They lived in Salt Lake City, San Antonio, New York and San Francisco while Bob finished his medical training. Always Utahns at heart, they returned to Provo in 1963 where she spent the rest of her life, working energetically to raise her family and build and serve her community. She loved to host and entertain and was known for her delicious baked goods; she would often celebrate others’ big events with a plate of homemade cinnamon rolls.

Janette loved the sport, the challenge, and the lifelong friendships she made playing tennis. She would wake up at 5:00 am for early play before sending her kids to school, and eventually became a regular women’s league player.

Janette’s life changed dramatically at age 54 when her husband died after a short battle with cancer. Though devastated by the loss, within weeks of his death she entered politics. She served in the Utah State Legislature from 1988 to 1991. She thrived in that environment and loved the negotiations of democracy in action

In March 1990, Janette was called to be a counselor to Ardeth Kapp in the General Young Women’s Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She succeeded Kapp, and served as President of the Young Women’s organization from 1992 ­ 1997. She loved working with youth and their leaders. Whether in her own neighborhood or traveling internationally, Janette took a personal interest in the young people around her, getting to know them personally, and taking a great interest in their lives and activities.

Janette married Raymond E. Beckham, a longtime acquaintance, in April 1995, and they spent 22 wonderful years together. Together they served for four years on the LDS Church’s Olympic Coordinating Committee. They traveled extensively and loved spending time with their large extended family.

Janette was passionate about education. She continually encouraged young people to pursue higher education and increased educational opportunity for others. She served on the Board of Trustees at Utah Valley University from 2004 ­ 2011, serving as Chair for 2 of those years. UVU awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2013. She was instrumental in navigating the transition to University status. After a day at UVU she could be heard to say, âI just love what they are doing out there!ã

Janette was survived by her five children: Ann Hales Nevers, Thomas Callister Hales, Jane Hales Ricks (Daniel), Karen Hales Parkinson (Mark), and Mary Hales Bates (Blaine), as well as many beloved Hales and Beckham children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Friday, March 11, 2022, from 6:00 ­ 8:00 pm at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue, Provo.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Provo Multi-Stake Center, 350 N. 900 E. Provo, with a visitation one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Utah Valley University’s Women’s Success Center or First-Generation Students fund.

https://give.communityfunded.com/o/utah-valley-university/i/giveuvu/s/janettehbeckham