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WEST JORDAN - A West Jordan woman survived a fast-moving fire in her home on Sunday, but passed away about 40 hours later.
Frankie Foutz's grieving family believes the fire was indirectly the cause of her death, but is grateful it provided them a chance to see her one last time.
Thoughts and memories of his mother dominated Marc Vanhuizen's mind Tuesday.
"She was a very loving, very giving person," he said. "She was in great spirits. Probably the best spirits in years. She appeared to be healthy and doing great."
Foutz's death was likely the result of health complications related to lung disease, intensified after her home caught on fire.
"The ambulance was called and she was in good spirits with the ambulance driver, and the way I hear it, her heart stopped on the way to the hospital," Vanhuizen said.
The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. Sunday when a bottle of fingernail polish remover was accidentally knocked over into an ashtray with a smoldering cigarette. Flames spread quickly throughout the house.
Vanhuizen's 15-year-old nephew helped get his grandmother to safety.
"He is our little hero," said Vanhuizen. "Mom didn't perish in a fire. That is possibly the worst death you could ever have."
While Foutz's family is heartbroken over the loss of their mother and grandmother, they are grateful the fire brought them all together one last time before she passed.
"We each got to spend a day with her, and those were beautiful, wonderful moments even though we were all exhausted," said Vanhuizen. "I think she was called home and this is a celebration now that we have."
The funeral for Frankie Foutz is tentatively scheduled for later this week.
Her family said Tuesday they appreciate the concern and support of the community, especially in the neighborhood where she's lived for the past 40 years.
