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SALT LAKE CITY — Beverley Taylor Sorenson, the woman who fought for arts education in Utah, passed away Monday night at the age of 89.
She died of natural causes related to her age and was surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her two sons, six daughters, 49 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren.
Sorenson led a long life of advocacy and philanthropy as she fought to ensure Utah colleges and universities prepared teachers to bring the arts to children.
In 2011, Sorenson was recognized by Americans for the Arts for her lifelong support of arts education. She received the Eli and Edythe Broad Award, a philanthropy award given to one person each year for his or her contributions in advancing the arts in education.
"Utah mourns the loss of one of our finest matriarchs with the passing of the ever-gracious Beverley Taylor Sorenson," said Utah Gov. Gary Herbert in a statement Tuesday.
Along with multiple other awards and recognitions for her achievements, the Sorenson Legacy Foundation donated $12 million for an arts and education building at the University of Utah. The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts and Education Complex opened in 2011 and serves as a research and education hub unlike any other in the country.
"This will be a place where various organizations, professors, teachers and children can come to celebrate the crucial role the arts play in providing children with the best education," Sorenson said at the building's groundbreaking.
Sorenson received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Utah in 1945 and then went on to teach kindergarten at a Quaker school in Brooklyn, N.Y. She met her husband, James LeVoy Sorenson, while she was living there, and together they raised eight children.
They founded the Sorenson Legacy Foundation to support cultural, educational, scientific and community-focused projects. The couple donated tens of millions of dollars across the country for various education projects, including a $3 million donation to Southern Utah University. In 2006 the College of Education was named the Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education in honor of her generous support.
"Both James and Beverley Sorenson were such incredible people," said Ray Pickup, chair of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors in a statement. James Sorenson was honored as a Giant In Our City in 2006. "They have worked to strengthen our community in more ways than most Utahns understand. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sorenson family at this difficult time."
Beverley Taylor Sorenson was also a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she held a variety of callings over her lifetime.
Funeral services will be held May 31. The family asks that donations be made to three charities in lieu of flowers: the Art Works for Kids Foundation, Utah Youth Village or the Perpetual Education Fund for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Contributing: Pat Reavy
