It isn't always easy for news reports to convey the full flavor of the character and personality of key people, no matter how prominent and well-known they may be.
So it was with the news stories this week reporting the death of Marianne Clark Sharp, 88, former counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.As those reports noted, Mrs. Sharp, a daughter of the late J. Reuben Clark of the LDS First Presidency, taught Latin at the University of Utah before serving five years on the Relief Society General Board, then was appointed to the Relief Society general presidency in 1945. Editor of the Relief Society Magazine from 1945 to 1971, she also served on the General Deseret Industries Committee, the Presiding Bishopric's Training Committee and was a delegate to the International Council of Women. She was married to the late Ivor Sharp, long-time manager of KSL.
Even from such sketchy facts, it should be easy to infer Mrs. Sharp's love of learning and of church service.
But such a brief outline of Mrs. Sharp's interests and accomplishments leaves out some key elements. Such as the fact that she was a fine writer as well as a capable editor. Such as her great kindness and consideration as reflected in her many notes and telephone calls congratulating friends and acquaintances on their various accomplishments. Or such as the warmth and closeness of the Sharp family. She was fond of quoting her father's admonition that "Every night should be family night." She herself often noted in her talks that happy marriages do not just happen but require hard work and that true happiness is based on personal righteousness.
Now she is gone. But the memory of Marianne Clark Sharp and of her outstanding example of service to others lingers on.