Biographical History

Alice May Brewer Saily (1919-2010) was a government worker, opera singer, linguist, and music teacher.

Alice May Brewer Saily was born on Januray 13, 1919, in Globe, Arizona, one of 15 children of parents John Hurum and Catherine Alvira Webb Brewer. She spent most of her growing up years in Mesa and Tempe, Arizona, where she attended school, graduating from Mesa High School.

In 1944, she served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Midwestern States Mission. After returning from her mission, she went to New York City, where she worked for the United States government. She served with the Diplomatic Corps in England, Germany, Holland, France, Japan, and in Alaska. She lived or traveled to many countries in Europe, as well as Japan, Israel, and Russia. She had a talent for learning languages quickly, and spoke them with perfect pronunciation.

Alice had a beautiful voice with an exceptional vocal range and was privileged to be able to study from many of the master of voice in both the United States and Europe. She made her opera debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and sang with the Metropolital Opera Company and later with the Tokyo Opera Company.

After retiring from government service, Alice worked for the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under Presidents Grant and McKay. She left this work when her mother fell ill, and Alice moved back to Mesa, Arizona to be with her until her death.

In 1967, Alice met and married Walter Andrew Saily. Since they both had a large interest and talent in music, they started a music studio in Tempe, Arizona, where Alice taught both voice and piano. After they retired and sold the studio, Alice and Walt moved to Provo, Utah to be near family. They both became temple workers, and could be found there 5-6 days per week.

Since she had no children of her own, Alice generously donated funds so that her many nieces and nephews could serve missions. She also donated toward building up the Church wherever she lived, including donation to buy a baptismal font for the first Stake in Holland, an organ for a new chapel in Japan, as well as large donations to every ward and branch she lived in.

Alice died on October 19, 2010 in Orem, Utah.

Citation:

FindAGrave.com, via WWW, Feb. 19, 2014 (Alice May Brewer Saily; b. Jan. 13, 1919 in Globe, Gila, Ariz.; d. Oct. 19, 2010 in Provo, Utah, Utah; active member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; devoted time, talent and means to the church and to her family; husband Walt Saily)

Ancestry.com, via WWW, Mar. 10, 2014 (Alice May Brewer; b. Jan. 13, 1919)

UPB files, Feb. 19, 2014 (Alice May Brewer Saily; b. Jan. 13, 1919, in Globe, Arizona; parents John Hurum and Catherine Alvira Webb Brewer; lived early years in Mesa and Tempe, Arizona; graduated from Mesa High School; 1944; LDS mission call to the Midwestern States Mission; moved to New York City, where she worked for the US Government; she served with the US Diplomatic Corps in England, Germany, Holland, France, Japan, and in Alaska; lived or traveled to many countries including The United States of America, Germany, Holland, England, Scotland, Wales, Japan, France, Italy, Greece, Jerusalem, Jordan, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and others; talent for learning languages quickly, and spoke them with perfect pronunciation; studied from many of the masters of voice in both the US and Europe; opera debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and sang with the Metropolital Opera Company and later with the Tokyo Opera Company; after retiring from Government service, Alice worked for the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under Presidents Grant and McKay; moved back to Mesa, Arizona; in 1967, married Walter Andrew Saily; music studio in Tempe, Arizona; Alice taught both voice and piano; moved to Provo, Utah; became temple workers; donated funds so that her many nieces and nephews could serve missions; donation to buy a baptismal font for the first Stake in Holland, an organ for a new chapel in Japan, as well as large donations to every ward and branch she lived in; d. Oct. 2010, in Orem, Utah)

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