Linda Billie Rosen Sweat

From all of us, her children, we want the world to know, our mom, Linda Billie, was one of a kind. Born September 17, 1944, to Grant Pendrey Rosen and Norah Danielle Thomas, she was their only child and carried a deep love for them throughout her life. After 80 remarkable years (almost 81!), she began her newest role in heaven: conducting, accompanying, and singing with the legions of angels. She joyfully accepted this calling on August 31, 2025. 

Mom’s life was all about service — whether through teaching, healing, or sharing her gift of music. She first married Karl Martin, with whom she had five children: Robert, Teresa, Grant, Jerilyn, and the caboose, Melanie. They later divorced. On May 17, 2008, she was sealed in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple to her eternal companion, Lonnie J. Sweat. Together, they traveled and shared many wonderful adventures. 

While we were growing up, Mom was never afraid of hard work. She cleaned the local mercantile at night, played piano for the school during the day, and dropped everything at a moment’s notice to serve as an Emergency Medical Technician — a position she held for 17 years. And somehow, in the middle of it all, she still found time to raise the five of us. 

She graduated from Montpelier High School, attended Ricks College (now BYU–Idaho), and later earned her bachelor’s degree in music, with an emphasis in music education, and a minor in history from Utah State University. One of her fondest memories from college was traveling with the Utah State University choral group to Russia, where she performed with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra — proof that her talent carried far beyond home. After graduation, Mom went on to teach music, and many other subjects, to middle and high school students, in Utah and Idaho. 

Family was always at the center of Mom’s life. To all of her family, she was “Grammy,” the constant presence in the bleachers, the audience, or the front row. Whether it was a ball game, a recital, a school play, or a horse show, she was there — cheering, smiling, and lending her support. True to her word, she often promised, “I’ll be there with bells on,” and she always was. 

Music was Mom’s lifelong gift, and every ward she lived in was blessed by her talents at the organ and piano. She played the organ and conducted ward choirs for many years, leaving a lasting impression on all who heard her. We teased her relentlessly about every slip of her hands or feet during church — because who better to critique your playing than your own kids? 

She was also sharp as a whip. Jeopardy! was her show, and she often kept score in a notebook just to prove she could have walked away a champion. She loved to read — not casually, but voraciously. Her eyes flew across the page, and she remembered every detail. Her knowledge of history was unmatched, and if you ever had a question, she always had the answer ready. When something delighted her, she would often say, “That’s nifty!” — a phrase we’ll always hear in her voice. 

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, whom she loved deeply, and many friends and family. She is survived by us, her children — Robert, Teresa, Grant (Erin), Jerilyn (Justin), Melanie, Step-daughter, Ada (Rick) — as well as her 10 grandchildren (Daniell, Lisa, Kevin, Kelson, Tyson, Ariana, Wyatt, Brooklyn, Jordyn, Sean) and 4 great-grandchildren (Oakley, Michaila, Hadley, Jameson). 

From all of us, her children, we will miss her wisdom, wit, music, faith, and unwavering presence. We take comfort knowing she is joyfully leading heaven’s choir, “bells on!” 

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary medical staff at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah, who gently walked beside us during the final days of Mom’s journey here on earth. Your tender care, compassion, and unwavering attention to detail were blessings we will never forget. To all who now walk with us — supporting, lifting, and surrounding us with love as we take Mom home to be with her parents — we say thank you. Your kindness lightens the weight of our sorrow and helps carry us forward with hope.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Honeyville 1st ward, 2620 W 6980 N, Honeyville, Utah. A viewing will be take place from 6-8 pm on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 E 200 S, in Brigham City as well as a short viewing prior to the service from 10:00-10:45 am at the church.  Interment will be in the Montpelier, Idaho Cemetery following the service.