The covers of her books were always bright, warm and inviting. The contents were much the same, as was the personality of the woman who penned them.
On Monday, Elaine Anderson Cannon passed away. She was 81. And when she left, she left behind a true legacy.
There was no real "high water mark" in Cannon's career. The things she did always seemed to enhance other aspects of her world. Her 27 years at the Deseret News as a society editor and columnist polished her communication skills for a stint as the General Young Women's president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And her experiences in those two areas added spiritual heft and cleverness to life as an author.
She made her mark writing and working with young people. Even into her '70s she maintained a spryness that attracted kids and adults alike. And though her personal resume is filled with civic and social accomplishments — from the boards of Deseret Gym and Bookcraft Books to her ownership of Dressmaker Inc. — the role she seemed to relish most was that of author. Her years as a newspaper columnist taught her to be conversational, clear and direct in her writing. Of all the literary virtues, she prized communication and connection. She knew the deadliest sin for a popular essayist is to create confusion. The second deadliest is to be boring. And she worked tirelessly to keep those two demons away from her pages.
In her book "Adversity" she wrote, "Life, after all, isn't only trouble. In the midst of affliction we are burdened, if you will, with great blessings. If you try counting blessings you will quickly see how easily they out-number trials."
This short paragraph is classic Cannon. It holds part of an embedded Psalm, an embedded hymn title, overtones of a show tune in the word "Trouble" and the voice of President Gordon B. Hinckley in the expression "great blessings" — all woven together like a breezy, summer fabric.
She spent the last weeks of her life sending "thank you" letters to those who'd touched her life. But her books were the ultimate thank you notes. In the acknowledgements of "The Truth About Angels," she tips her hat to a dozen of the people who helped her. Then, in the final line, she gives her credo.
"Forever," she concludes, "my gratitude belongs to God."