Renee Reber Boyce

Alice Renee Reber Boyce passed away on April 7, 2024, surrounded by her family, in St. George, Utah. She was the daughter of Elwood and Elaine Bailey Reber, born on January 1, 1947, in Pasco, Washington. She and her husband David Reed Boyce have been married for 55 years and reside in Santa Clara, Utah. She is survived by her husband, 6 children and 8 grandchildren. These and other loved ones she leaves behind will miss her dearly.

Renee grew up in Hurricane, Utah before moving to La Center, Washington with her family when she was 8-years old. As the oldest of 8 children, she enjoyed a happy childhood. She loved to sing and play piano, excelling at both throughout her life. She spent the summers picking blackberries with cousins. When she was 18, she met David Boyce, a tall, handsome, young man who had just moved into town. Renee and David immediately fell in love, and after David returned home from an LDS mission, they married on January 13, 1969, and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on February 9, 1970.

Renee and David always found joy in the simple things of life. In their lean, early years, 50 cents was all it cost for a car ride through the mountains. “Going for a ride,” whether across town to a family member, or through the desert to a national park, would be one of the couple’s favorite pastimes. In their later years, Renee found joy serving others with her husband, and the two often could be found delivering a loaf of homemade bread to a sibling, niece, or friend.

Renee was completely dedicated to her children. With each child she and David welcomed to their family, her happiness grew exponentially. She relished her role as a stay-at-home mom and introduced her kids to the arts, reading poems to them at bedtime. She encouraged their talents and interests, seeing as they participated in scouting, dance, soccer or other extracurricular activities. She was proud to use her education and degree from BYU to help guide her children through their studies, helping launch them into their young adult years.

Life’s joys compounded even more for Renee as grandchildren were added to her family. Renee loved being a grandma. No band competition, football game, volleyball tournament, soccer or tennis match was beyond her reach, no matter where the participating grandchild lived. She showered her loved ones with thoughtful, beautifully wrapped gifts not only on birthdays and Christmas, but on Valentine’s, Easter, and even St. Patrick’s Day. More important than the gift was the card that accompanied it. Renee took great care to express her love in these cards as eloquently as possible.

Her relationships with her siblings remained important to Renee throughout her life, and she executed her duties as daughter and sister unselfishly. Along with David, she gave loving care to her aging parents and mother-in-law. She kept strong ties with all her siblings, and she gave special care to her nieces and nephews. One of Renee’s hallmarks in recent years was her “text art” — creative birthday wishes, sent by text messages full of emojis and proud tributes, on an extended family group chat.

Music was a constant source of joy and peace for Renee. She had a beautiful singing voice and played the piano expertly and used both to bless the lives of others. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in various musical capacities at church. She also was an active visiting teacher and ministering sister, and she developed many lifelong friendships through these assignments.

Renee loved living in Santa Clara and took great pride in her Swiss heritage and in her direct ancestors who helped settle that town. It was important to her that her children know their family history and feel proud to be descendants of such a strong legacy. Renee was quick to point out positive Swiss traits wherever she saw them, and was herself as hardworking, resourceful, and thrifty as any “Dutchman.”

Renee will be remembered by all who knew and loved her for her unmatched devotion to her loved ones, and for her life of selfless sacrifice and service. We will be forever grateful for our angel mother.

Renee is survived by her mother Elaine Reber, her husband David Boyce, and 6 children: Derald (Teresa) Boyce and their son Nathaniel; Aaron Boyce and his daughter Sophia and son Beckham; Andrea (Tory) Parker and their sons Judson, Samuel, Isaac, Thomas, and Jacob; Emily Boyce; Natalie Boyce; and Ryan (Bethany) Boyce. She is preceded in death by her father Elwood Reber, her daughter Jenee, and her son Thomas.

 A viewing will be held on Thursday, April 18 at Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, and again from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the Rachel Drive Chapel. Interment will take place in the Santa Clara City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the ICU staff at St. George Regional Hospital, as well as the members of the Santa Clara 18th Ward, for assisting in this tender time.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to sign Renee’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com