The Daily Spectrum from Saint George, Utah • 10

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 The Spectrum OBITUARIES HEALTH Alice Averett YUMA, Arizona Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Alice Jayne Gardner Averett, passed away peacefully on Saturday May 22, 2004 at her home. She was 62 years old and had fought a courageous 16-year battle with cancer. Alice was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 3, 1941 to Hortense Brinkerhoff and Ulysses Sterling Gardner. She married Byron Baughman on June 30, 1960 and on her 12th Wedding Anniversary it was solemnized in the St. George Temple.

She was a devoted mother of 6: Tamara, Juliana, Christopher, Joseph, Jason and Angela. She grew up in Bicknell, Utah until she was 16. She lived next door to the most influential person in her life, her grandmother. When her family moved to Kanab, Utah she thought they had really gone uptown. She graduated from Seminary and Kanab High School where she was Salutarian, Student Body Historian, FHA President, on the yearbook staff and in the Lariettes marching group.

She attended the College of Southern Utah for a short time. Alice and Byron also lived in Page, Arizona and Starbuck, Washington before moving to Phoenix, Arizona for 13 years. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and active in the Phoenix 8th Ward and 5th Ward (where her husband served as Bishop.) There her family acquired the name "The Baughman Bunch" with 3 boys, 3 girls and a "housekeeper" named Alice. Alice: served as a Ward Relief Society President, Primary President, MIA President, and Stake Girls Camp Director. She was a wonderful mother of her own 6 children and took in 2 girls with the Indian Placement Program and was a foster parent for the State of Arizona for 9 years.

Many called her "Mom." Her last 23 years have been in Yuma, Arizona where she helped her husband completely remodel 13 homes. In May of 2002 Byron and Alice legally changed their last name to "Averett" to follow his genealogical family name. Alice loved genealogy, family history, temple work and her GUIDELINES Paid obituary ads may be ordered through your local mortuary or directly through The Spectrum. To obtain rate information or place an obituary, call The Spectrum at (435) 674-6209. Those not purchasing paid obituaries may have a death notice published at no cost.

Information includes name, dates of death and birth, survivors (including spouse, children, parents, siblings, number of grandchildren), and funeral information. These may be submitted by calling (435) 674-6209 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday death notices may also be submitted from 3 to 5 p.m. by calling (435) 674-6238.

SPILSBURY MORTUARY Helen Louise Duke -Graveside: May 25, 2:00 p.m., Ivins City Cemetery. Norma Bringhurst Empey -Funeral: May 25, 11:00 a.m., Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel. -Visitation: 10:30 a.m., prior to services, at the Mortuary. Geneva Marie Cumbie Services Pending 435-673-2454 www.spilsburymortuary.com St. George Hurricane Mesquite OBITUARIES family.

She tirelessly served many. She collected binders full of ancestor's pictures and histories and endeared her family to them. She was an avid reader, had a great sense of humor, and was very compassionate. All of us loved her dearly. Alice is survived by her husband Byron Averett of Yuma, AZ; her father U.S.

Gardner of Alpine, Utah; her sister Ruth (Frank) Shearer of Dammeron Valley, Utah; her brother Sterling (Shelli) Gardner of Alpine, Utah; her daughters Tamara (Guy)Laing of Roy, Utah, Juliana (Stephen) Marriott of Potomac, Maryland and Angela (Michael) Jones of Yuma, AZ; her sons Christopher (April) Averett of Yuma, AZ and Jason (Teena) Baughman of Yuma, AZ and Joseph (Kristen) Averett of Salt Lake City, Utah; and 14 grandchildren. After decades away from Kanab, Utah she still called it home. Funeral services will be held in Kanab on Saturday, May 29, 2004, viewing at and Funeral at at the Kanab Stake Center with Bishop Christopher Averett conducting. Interment will be in the Kanab Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday; May 26, 2004, friends may call at the family home in Yuma, AZ from 6:00 pm to Funeral directors are Mosdell Mortuary of Kanab, Utah, and Yuma Mortuary of Yuma, Arizona.

Donn R. Jensen Sr. WASHING- TON, UT Donn Richard Jensen 74, returned to his Heavenly Father on Friday, May 21, 2004. He was born on June 3, 1929 to Sedley Jensen and Erma Bench. He married Barbara Ann Weber on June 28, 1963 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple.

Donn was born in Soda Springs, ID, and raised in Burbank, CA. After high school, he served in the US Air Force. In 1979, he moved his family to Washington County, where he started his own business. Donn enjoyed playing the drums, photography, jazz music, action movies, and the desert scenery of Southern Utah. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his seven children: Stacie (Robert) Wilson, Candice (Paul) Hancock, and Brittany Jensen, all from Washington, UT; Aimee (Matthew) Cluff of Fredonia, AZ; Krista (Robert) Berry and Adam (Natalie) Jensen, both from Salt Lake City, UT; and Donn R.

Jr. (Wendy) of Fontana, CA; 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; his sister, Bonnie Ontiveros of Santa Ynez, CA. He is preceded in death by both his parents, his brother, and a nephew. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 26 at 11:00 am at the Washington LDS Stake Center, 486 Mangum Washington, UT. Viewing will begin at 10:00 am at the same location.

Interment will be in the Washington City Cemetery. Brigham Spencer Brigham Spencer Young, a great, great grandson of Brigham Young, died surrounded by his loving family, May 23, 2004, in St. George Dixie Regional medical Center. He was born on January 5, 1913 in Raymond, Alberta, Canada to Brigham Spencer Young and Edna Brewerton Young, young homesteaders. The family later returned to Salt Lake City where they remained throughout their lives.

They were blessed with five children: Brigham Spencer Young; Margaret Young Leigh Richard Brewerton Young; Joy Young Hill; Patricia Young Guissisberg. "Spence," as he was known to his family and friends, loved history and was proud of his lineage. He had fond memories of his early life on the Salt Lake Avenues, and his teachers and friends in the Old LDS 18th Ward. He served a most memorable mission in Great Britain. He served his country in WWII and fought with General Patton's army in the Battle of the Bulge.

He married Erla Palmer on December 28, 1940 and had four children: Susan K. Young; M'Lisa Joy Young (Paulsen); Brigham Spencer Young and Marcie Beth Young (Little). He had 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Spencer touched and blessed many lives with his genuine affection and infectious smile. He was a prominent member of the business community and served on many business and civic boards.

in the 70s, he was a vice president of National American Life Insurance in California. He and Erla served a successful mission together for the LDS Church in Micronesia, Truk Islands, in the 80s. Long after retirement age, Spencer continued to work. His final career was as a greeter extraordinaire at Wal-Mart in St. George.

He retired in 2003 at the age of 90. Brigham touched and blessed many lives through his tremendous love and interest in people. He will be remembered for his gifts of humor, generosity, optimism and enthusiasm for life. While Spencer had many trials and health challenges in his life, he remained an example of faith, optimism and determination to the end. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff for their diligence and care at the Dixie Regional Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 26 at 12pm at the Buena Vista LDS Chapel, 860 N. Fairway Dr. A visitation will be held Tuesday, May 25, from 6-8 pm at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George and Wednesday, May 26 from prior to services at the chapel.

Interment will be in the Midway City Cemetery, Thursday, May 27, at 1pm, under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary; (435)673-4221. Condolences may be sent through our Web site at www.metcalfmortu- www.thespectrum.com HEIDEMAN MORTUARY 170 S. Mall Dr. 627-0691 John Philip Sorrentino Private Family Services Donn Jensen -Funeral service: Wednesday May 26, 2004 at 11:00 am Washington Stake Center 486 Mangum Rd Visitation 1 hour prior. Got a news tip? Give The Spectrum a call at: (435) 674-6270 in St.

George; (435) 586-7646 in Cedar City. Metcalf MORTUARY VALUE St. George 135-673-1221 www.metcalfmortuary.com HEIDEMAN MORTUARY Giving Southern Utah a Choice. We honor all funeral plans regardless of origin. 170 S.

Mall Dr. St. George 627-0691 Young Southern Utah "A Tradition of Trust" (435) 586-4040 www.southernutahmortuary.com Merril W. Yardley -Funeral: Wed. May 26, 1:00 p.m.

at Beaver West Chapel. -Visitation: Tues. May 25 7:00 9:00 p.m.at Beaver mortuary. Wed. morning from 11:00 a.m.

12:30 p.m. at the church. Metcalf MORTUARY St. George, Mesquite, Logandale (435) 673-4221 Elvernon Ferguson -Funeral: May 25, 11 a.m., St. George LDS 6th Ward Chapel, 400 E.

100 S. -Visitation: May 25, 10- 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the chapel. Brigham S. Young -Funeral: May 26, 12 p.m., Buena Vista LDS Chapel, 860 N. Fairway Dr.

-Visitation: May 25, 6-8 p.m., Metcalf Mortuary, and May 26, a.m., prior to services at the chapel. Mary Lou 'Mary' Noretta York -Funeral: May 27, 11 a.m., St. George LDS East Stake Center, 449 S. 300 E. -Gathering: May 27, 10- 10:40 a.m., prior to services at the Stake Center.

Nation's first hospice for children gives kids a chance to live By MIELIKKI ORG old, is bright-eyed, smiling and dying of a rare cancer. Her parents, Jamie and Mike Meringer, are devastated. Until recently, they had only two choices when it came to the heartbreaking decision of how and where to care for Riley during her final days. One was the hospital, with its cold, sterile equipment and memories of painful chemotherapy. The other was home, which would require them to leave work indefinitely to handle the enormous task of caring for their baby by themselves.

Then they found an alternative what is apparently the first freestanding hospice for children in the United States, the George Mark Children's House. About half a million children die in the United States every year from terminal illnesses. Four years ago the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that comprehensive hospice-like treatment, designed to improve the quality of life for children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses, be made widely available. When it becomes obvious a child will not recover, the academy wrote, doctors should stop trying to cure them, and instead make their final days more comfortable. While thousands of hospices focus on dying adults, there are only a handful of palliative services nationwide for children, all administered in hospitals or at home, except for the George Mark House.

More places like this one, set on five acres of rolling hills overlooking San Francisco Bay, are needed to fill a gaping hole in a medical system that offers little help for families coping with a severely ill child, says co-founder Kathy Hull, a psychologist. Here, a beautiful home away from home focuses on pain control and symptom management, while still letting kids be kids. Medical equipment is cleverly hidden behind walls and cupboards covered with murals of fairy tale castles, pirate boats, forests and spaceships. The eight hospital beds are disguised with bright red and blue comforters, and pull-out daybeds Associated Press SAN LEANDRO, Calif. Riley Jane Meringer, just 8 months Noah Berger AP Jamie Meringer spends time with her 8-month-old daughter, Riley Jane Meringer, at the George Mark Children's House on May 1 in San Leandro, Calif.

Riley is dying of a rare cancer, adrenal carcinoma. ON THE NET GEORGE MARK CHILDREN'S HOUSE: http://www.georgemark.org/index covered with throw pillows and stuffed animals are available in all eight bedrooms so that relatives can always be nearby. Sunlight-flooded playrooms full of toys and fingerpaints keep children busy. Every week, volunteers come by to visit, play piano and guitar for sing-a-longs in the music room, or prepare home-cooked meals so that families can relax and eat together in the large, cozy dining room. A 24-hour nursing staff, on-site apartments and non-denominational chapel are also on the premises.

The focus here is on living, not dying. No one is ever ready for a child to die especially doctors, who are often reluctant to give up on saving a child, even when, as in Riley's case, a disease shows no sign of retreating. "A child comes into the hospital and, immediately, the response is that the child can't die," said Dr. Betty Davies, a professor at the University of California at San Francisco and chairwoman of its family health care nursing department. "We have sometimes focused so much on the cure that we forget there comes a time when all our efforts are not going to succeed.

That's really hard to accept." Since the pediatrics academy published its recommendation four years ago, hospitals including UCSF, where Riley was originally treated, have begun to offer more palliative care services and "comfort care rooms." But paying for such care is also difficult. Medicare and other insurance programs cover hospices, but most treat a 5-month-old baby the same way they treat an 85-year-old adult. Most cover hospice care only when a patient is given six months or less to live a tricky diagnosis for a child. Even then, only a fraction of costs are covered. The privately funded George Mark, by contrast, absorbs most of the $1,400 per day it spends on each child and places no limit on how long patients can stay.

Children are never turned away, nor are parents ever forced to sign a "do not resuscitate" form as required by some insurance companies. Parents can always request medical treatment to save or extend their children's lives. "It is a landmark thing," said Dr. Marcia Levetown, director of palliative care at Methodist Hospital in Houston, who worked on the pediatrics report. "I think it's a missing element that's finally being addressed and I'm really grateful that that's happening." Hull hopes George Mark, named after two brothers who died, at ages 16 and 30, will provide a model for others.

Already, groups in Salt Lake City and New Orleans have consulted about plans for similar 1 facilities. Feds set new rules on tissue donation By LAURAN NEERGAARD Associated Press WASHINGTON Donors of sperm, cartilage and other commonly transplanted tissues and cells must be closely checked for infectious diseases, the government said Thursday in rules that aim to tighten safety in the burgeoning but loosely regulated industry. Donated blood and organs have long been strictly regulated. But other donated tissue such as skin for burn victims, ligaments for knee surgery, umbilical cord blood, and sperm and eggs are subject to less oversight. Human tissues can carry diseases, and the way cells are handled can make the difference between a therapy that works and one that is wasted or, worse, dangerous when the cells die or are contaminated.

That risk made headlines in 2002, when a 23-year-old Minnesota man died after routine knee surgery that used bacteria-laden cartilage. Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration announced rules that could cut risky donations: Tissue banks must test and screen potential donors for signs of infectious diseases that render them ineligible. Utah gets $4.4 million federal health grant SALT LAKE CITY Utah has received a $4.4 million federal grant to respond to bioterror attacks, infectious diseases and natural disasters. The funding is part of $498 million from the Department of Health and Human Services being dispersed nationwide. The Utah health department is expected to use the money to improve hospitals' readiness in dealing with large numbers of casualties and help improve disease reporting among health care facilities.

Nearly all have withdrawn suits over WTC toxins NEW YORK The city said Monday that all but nine of the 1,700 rescue workers who filed health lawsuits over toxins at the World Trade Center site withdrew the claims long ago. A published report said Monday that 1,700 firefighters and police officers had filed lawsuits against the The FDA had first proposed those rules, and a list of others to strengthen tissue safety, in 1997. The death of Brian Lykins sped up the long-delayed proposals. Federal investigations of the death prompted the FDA to suspend some operations at the nation's largest tissue supplier and identified more than 60 other patients sickened from tainted tissue transplants. With 1 million tissue transplants a year, problems are rare, Dr.

Jesse Goodman, FDA's chief of biological products, said Thursday. Still, "we can do a better job," he said. The new rules require tissue banks to test donors donated tissue for the AIDS virus, hepatitis and syphilis and CreutzfeldtJakob disease, the human form of mad cow disease. There's no specific test for CJD, so banks instead must perform other checks such as examining the brain of a cadaver donor. Additional testing is required for some tissue donations, such as ensuring the donors of sperm and eggs don't have the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia and gonorrhea.

And the rules allow the agency to order checks for new diseases, such as West Nile virus or SARS, as it HEALTH IN BRIEF city, claiming they were sickened by toxins from the wreckage of the twin towers. The Daily News in New York said sicknesses named in the lawsuits included cancer, asthma, airway disorders and other problems. City law department spokeswoman Kate O' Brien Ahlers said all but nine police officers withdrew their claims. Most did so to be eligible for the federal victims compensation fund, she said. Dealers beat pharmacists to new form of OxyContin PIKEVILLE, Ky.

generic form of the powerful painkiller OxyContin already is for sale on the black market in Appalachia, even though it's not yet available in all pharmacies. Dan Smoot, chief detective for an anti-drug task force in eastern Kentucky, said undercover narcotics investigators began purchasing the generic drug from street-level dealers earlier this week. Investigators suspect a shipment of the drug was stolen from a storage building in deems necessary. Tissue banks also must check donors' medical records, for such problems as recent bacterial or fungal infections. In addition, tissue banks must ask a living donor, or relatives of a dead one, about risk factors for infections, similar to the screening blood banks now perform.

That means, for example, that anyone who has used injected drugs in the past five years, or men who have had sex with another man in the preceding five years, can't donate because those are risk factors for HIV. Exceptions to the donor testing include cells or tissue that a patient will have re-implanted later or reproductive cells from a sexual partner, as is common with in vitro fertilization. "This rule is a major step toward ensuring that tissue contaminated with life-threatening pathogens is not transplanted into unsuspecting patients," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. But she decried what she called the "FDA's repeated and unacceptable delays in implementing this rule.

I am concerned that this delay may have put lives at risk." eastern Kentucky. OxyContin is a long-lasting version of oxycodone, a narcotic considered important therapy for many patients suffering chronic, moderate to severe pain from illnesses such as cancer. er. The drug can produce a quick and potentially lethal high if it is chewed, snorted or injected. Senators hope to extend military health insurance WASHINGTON Members of the National Guard and Reserves should have military health insurance partly because their lack of insurance makes one-fourth of them unable to answer the call when their units are mobilized for service in Iraq, two lawmakers said Sunday.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is sponsoring insurance legislation with Sen. Hillary Clinton and others, said it would "make sure that every Guard and Reserve member becomes a member of the health care system just like an military active-duty person and family." Associated Press.