Dr. Berenice Jewett Bradshaw passed away peacefully at her home on February 24, 1996 following an extended illness.
Dr. Bradshaw was born May 12, 1903 in Sioux City, Iowa. She graduated from the University of Utah and a member of the Class of 1922 of Westminster College when it was the Collegiate Institute. There, Dr. Bradshaw was vice president of her class, sang in the glee club, participated in several operettas and wrote for the literary society. In 1924 she married Franklin Bradshaw, and together they forged an automotive parts and gas and oil empire in the Intermountain West. Together they had a son and three daughters. Her husband and son Robert Jewett Bradshaw preceded her in death.Dr. Bradshaw lost touch with her alma mater while finished her education, marrying and raising a family. But, in 1983, her interest in Westminster College was rekindled and since Berenice Jewett Bradshaw has given of herself and of her personal resources to establish scholarships and support of the programs of Westminster College. Words of thanks, awards and professorates are inadequate to fully express the college's appreciation for her love and devotion. Her major community contributions include those made to Holy Cross Hospital, Ballet West and the Utah Opera, to name a few.
Dr. Bradshaw held an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Westminster College and was the first recipient of the Westminster College Distinguished Service Award. She was a member of numerous national and local organizations reflecting her colonial ancestry. These include Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Huguenot Society, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, Daughters of the Colonists, the Order of the Eastern Star of Utah, White Shrine, and many more.
Known for her spirit of philanthropy, Dr. Bradshaw supported the arts and education. Dr. Bradshaw has given Westminster College over $4,000,000 for general support, scholarships and physical facilities.
In 1983, Dr. Bradshaw established a foundation at Westminster College and endowed it with $220,000 to provide scholarship assistance to academically qualified students attending Westminster College. To date, the Berenice Jewett Bradshaw Foundation aided many students to obtain their higher education degrees at Westminster College. Bradshaw Scholars, armed with a personalized education from Westminster College, have assumed their place in nearly every career field.
Through the years Dr. Bradshaw has supported Ballet West, the Utah Opera, and the School of American Ballet in New York City. She established three scholarships in memory of the late choreographer, George Balanchine.
Dr. Berenice Jewett Bradshaw was a survivor, a doer, a philanthropist in the finest sense and a woman of indomitable spirit. She exemplified the embodiment of her stalwart ancestors and her love of beauty and truth was an inspiration to all who knew her.
Dr. Bradshaw is survived by daughters, Marilyn (Mrs. Robert) Reagan of New York City; Elaine Bradshaw Druckman of Emeryville, Calif.; Frances Bradshaw Schroeder of Salt Lake City; granddaughter, Lavina Schroeder; grandsons, Sam and Max Druckman; Marc and Larry Schroeder and many close friends especially her dear friend Grahame Smallwood.
The family wishes to thank the fine and competent caregivers, and the attentive friends who saw to it she was not cut off from the world of theater, opera and ballet activities Berenice so loved.
A memorial service will be held March 16, 1996 at 11 a.m. at the Jewett Center For Arts and Humanities at Westminster College.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to her favorite and beloved charities, Utah Opera Co., Ballet West, and to Westminster College Bradshaw Scholarships or Performing Arts Dept.
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