Jean M. Westwood, 73, the first woman to head the National Democratic Committee, died Monday, Aug. 18, 1997, in American Fork Hospital after a long illness.
Mrs. Westwood was named to the national post following the presidential nomination of Sen. George McGovern. She served in the position for about six months during 1972. Also, she was a member of National Democratic Committee.A native of Price, she was elected Utah Democratic national committeewoman in 1968 and 1972 and was vice chairwoman of the Western States Democratic Conference from 1968 to 1970.
She headed the women's division for former U.S Rep. David S. King, was vice president of the Salt Lake Women's Democratic Club, a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention and helped with Utah arrangements for the 1966 National Women's Democratic Conference.
Mrs. Westwood lived in West Jordan for 30 years where she and her husband, Richard, were involved in the mink business. From 1976 to 1995 she resided in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she was adviser to then Gov. Bruce Babbitt and served on the State Economic and Development Board.
She was a cultural refinement leader in the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the American Fork 30th Ward chapel, 270 N. 900 East. Friends may call at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 E. 100 North, American Fork, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and one hour before services Friday at the church. Burial will be in the American Fork Cemetery.