My Aunt Elaine

My great-Aunt Elaine passed away recently, it was a very tender time for my family. She was like another grandmother to us, my mom thought of her as a sister. 

Elaine Kirkpatrick 

   

1933 ~ 2011

Alice Elaine Probert Kirkpatrick, age 78, passed away in her Scipio, Utah home on 3 October 2011 after a valiant fight with cancer which she contracted from being a "Downwinder." Sincere appreciation is expressed to Dr. Saundra S. Buys and her staff for their help in prolonging Elaine's life, and to Jon Huntsman for creating the excellent Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. Thank you to IHC Hospice and Home Health and Nurse Denise Allgood and Pam Robison and Donna Crapo for their excellent care.

Elaine was born on 31 July 1933 in Provo, Utah to Samuel Don Probert and Genevieve Alice Peterson, the last of their five children. She grew up in Scipio, and graduated from Utah State University in Logan with a degree in Elementary Education. She married Stewart Raymond Kirkpatrick on 1 June 1956 in Scipio. They were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on 23 March 1984.

Kirk's service in the Air Force took them to Texas, Turkey, Virginia, Colorado, and Hawaii. When he retired, they moved to Farmington, Utah and lived there for 32 years.

Elaine has served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a teacher, counselor, and president of the Primary, Young Women's, and Relief Society organizations. She was very active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and served as first vice president on the central board in Salt Lake City in the 1980s. Kirk and Elaine served two LDS missions in Hawaii and Istanbul, Turkey. They have lived in Scipio for the past 4 years. Every place they have lived, Elaine has made special friends, loving them and they loving her.

Elaine is survived by her husband of 55 years and their three children, Stewart (Kelly) of Billings, Montana, Mark (Sue) of West Valley City, Utah, and Suzie

(Chris) Roseville, California, 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, her sister Arlene (Jay) Memmott, and her brother Dick (Thelma) Probert of Scipio; sister-in-laws, Gloria Probert, Scipio, UT and Shirley Probert, Scipio, UT. Preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Carl Probert and Bud Probert.

Funeral service will be held Friday Oct 7 at noon at Scipio Ward, 85 W 100 N Street. The family will receive family and friends from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Scipio Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Rasmussen Mortuary, Mount Pleasant, Utah.

Elaine and Kirk before their LDS mission to Turkey

I was able to attend Elaine's funeral, it was beautiful. My mother gave  the tribute and said, "She's probably planning a party." I think so too! Elaine loved to have people around. She touched many lives, Elaine made everyone she knew feel important and special. She was very genuine and real. I truly feel that I'm a better person because I knew her.

Front of funeral program

Inside of the funeral program

The Pallbearers put their butoners on the casket. Her grand daughters made pink ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness for those attending the funeral, and many put their ribbons on the casket.

Elaine wanted a pink casket and got it, even the vault was painted pink.

Elaine in a pioneer costume as a child

Elaine during her high school years
with the smile Kirk loved.

Thanks to Elaine's daughter-in-law Sue Kirkpatrick for getting me many of these pictures.