Lynne Sanders Nelson, age 57, died quietly at home May 21, 1999 after an 18-year struggle with a brain tumor.
Lynne was born February 9, 1942 in Salt Lake City to Mervyn S. and Maurine O. Sanders. Among the gifts that Lynne brought with her to this earth was her gift of song. Under the tutelage of Blanche Christensen she developed a uniquely clear and gorgeous lyric soprano voice. Among other honors she won first place in the San Francisco summer opera auditions in 1965 and spent the summer in San Francisco training with the opera. She could have pursued a career in music, but chose instead to give birth to and raise six wonderful children. Her youngest, Camille, was born during the early part of her illness, but Lynne succeeded in living to see Camille complete high school.Lynne attended school in Salt Lake where she graduated from East High in 1960, and from the University of Utah in 1964 where she was affiliated with the Delta Gamma sorority, and was a member of the Mu Phi Music sorority. She married John C. Nelson in the Salt Lake Temple July 17, 1964. Following medical school they moved to Iowa for a residency in Ophthalmology. There at the University of Iowa, Lynne performed the leading role in Puccini's Madame Butterfly in 1972. Following their return to Salt Lake City in 1973, Lynne continued her music studies with Blanche and performed throughout the valley, often with her sister, Camille, and with their mother as accompanist.
She was active in the LDS Church throughout her life serving in numerous capacities including Relief Society president, Cultural Refinement teacher, Young Women's teacher, den mother, and many musical positions. She loved the Savior and lived the gospel in an exemplary fashion throughout her life. She was a wonderful example of kindness, patience, love and empathy for others. She loved life and wanted others to enjoy it with her. All who knew her will remember her contagious laugh which sounded much like her singing voice--light and angelic. We rejoice in the thought that her song, stilled for almost a decade, can now again be heard with the choirs of heaven.
Preceded in death by her mother and father; she is survived by her husband, John C. Nelson, and six children: Christine Nelson Gregory (Kent), David C. Nelson (Melisa), Catherine Nelson Romrell (Don), Matthew J. Nelson (Kelli), Steven S. Nelson, and Camille Nelson; an aunt, Mrs. John (LaJune) Jones; three brothers, John M. Sanders, Gill O. Sanders, and Marc Sanders; one sister, Mrs. Merrill (Camille) Cook, and four beautiful grandchildren: Eliza, Spencer, Emma, and Nathan.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 24, at the Parleys Stake Center, 1820 East Parleys Canyon Road, at 12 noon. Friends may call at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m., and at the chapel from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment at Sunset Lawn.
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