Ecco Sweat Gines Benard

Ecco Sweat Gines Benard returned to her Heavenly Father on November 11, 2016, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Ecco was born on March 22, 1939 in Duchesne, Utah to Ervin Wallace Sweat and Lucy Ella Fausett. She was a middle child in a family of twelve children. She married her sweetheart, Russell Gines on January 15, 1955. After living several places in the Salt Lake area they bought their home in Kearns. They were blessed with four daughters and the family was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 21, 1973. Russ passed away later that year. Ecco then completed her GED, enrolled in college and worked as a teacher's aid. In 1978 she married Ray Benard and not only was he her companion, he brought with him more children, Alice, Roselyne, David and Chris and then grandchildren that she treasured and loved as her own. Ray and Ecco lived in Kaysville, Utah, and then moved to Ohio, back to Kearns and finally to Mink Creek, Idaho. Ray passed away in 1996. She later moved to Stansbury Park, Utah for many years and then to West Jordan, Utah to be closer to her brother and sisters. Wherever Ecco went she made lifelong friends. She truly had a gift for that. Ecco loved being with her siblings and their spouses. There were many game nights, camping trips, picnics in the park and days spent in the Temple. They met for lunch monthly and spent hours after the meals talking and laughing together, often staying even after their server's shift had ended. She was a loving mother, teaching her daughters the value of work and money, the love of books and music and the importance of family. As a grandmother, she made sure to attend as many activities as possible for each grandchild, remembering them with birthday cards, shopping trips and lunches, wedding and graduation gifts and prayers in their behalf. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. She was a natural leader and was at various times president of the Primary, Young Womens and the Relief Society. She was a dedicated visiting teacher. Ecco was truly selfless when it came to family and friends. She spent many hours tending the sick or sad without ever complaining or thinking it a personal sacrifice. When she became ill herself she was gracious and kind to all that came in contact with her. She is survived by three daughters, Sandra (Randall) Chidester, Cindy (Ron) Wood and Tammy Gines Griffith; four sisters, Veola , Carma , Verda and RaNae; 26 grandchildren; and 51 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; daughter, Sheila Ann; siblings LaDona, Gene, Dewey, Glade, Doyle, Barbara and Verl. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 19th, 11:00 a.m., at the LDS Chapel, 5156 West Clay Hollow Avenue, (7860 S.). Viewings will be held Friday, Nov. 18th, 6-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and again Saturday at the church prior to services from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Interment, Tabiona City Cemetery. Place of Birth:Duchesne, UtahPlace of Death:West Jordan, Utah