Obituary: Amelia Smith McConkie

Amelia Smith McConkie 1916 ~ 2005 Amelia Smith McConkie, wife of the late Elder Bruce R. McConkie, passed away September 22, 2005, at the age of 89. Amelia was born June 21, 1916, in Salt Lake City to Elder Joseph Fielding Smith and Ethel Reynolds Smith. She had five older sisters: Josephine, Julina, Emily, Naomi, and Lois; and five brothers, Joseph Jr., Lewis, Reynolds, Douglas, and Milton. She was educated in the Salt Lake school system and graduated from East High School in 1933. She graduated from the University of Utah in June of 1937. She and her husband, Bruce, were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on October 13, 1937. Their union was graced by the birth of nine children: Bruce, Jr. (deceased), Vivian (Carlos) Adams, Joseph (Brenda) McConkie, Stanford (Kathy) McConkie, Mary (Ben) Donoho, Mark (Mary Ann) McConkie, Rebecca (J. Michael) Pinegar, Stephen (Shauna) McConkie, and Sara (Jerry) Fenn. Amelia has 59 grandchildren and 89 great grandchildren. An unpretentious woman of quiet goodness Amelia was graced with a wonderful balance of wisdom and humor. She was a queen among women, a marvelous mother, and a constant source of support to her husband. Her life was spent in the service of others. She was a teacher and officer in the Primary, Mutual Improvement Association, and Relief Society. She served as President of the Relief Society in the Kenwood, Kenwood II, and Canyon Road wards. She also served as a stake Relief Society president in the Wilford, University First, and Salt Lake Eagle Gate stakes. From 1961 to 1964 she served as mission mother and Advisor to the Auxiliaries of the Southern Australian Mission where her husband was the mission president. She also took tender care of her father after the passing of his wife, Jesse Evans Smith, while he was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Amelia was promised in her youth that she would bear testimony of Christ and his Restored gospel among the nations of the earth. She did so throughout the United States, in 47 foreign countries, and in two temple dedications. Notwithstanding her world travels, her greatest influence was within the walls of her own home, where she and her husband planted and nurtured the seeds of the gospel in the hearts of their children. Capturing that spirit, her children and grandchildren have filled 37 fulltime missions for the Church. In addition to the eight children noted above, Amelia is survived by her two youngest brothers, Douglas Allen and Milton Edmund Smith. Funeral services will be held at the Salt Lake Ensign Stake Center, 135 A Street, on Monday, September 26th, at 12 p.m. Family members will greet friends and relatives in the Relief Society Room prior to the service from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery. (4th Ave. "N" Street) The family wishes to give special thanks to many who so lovingly served Amelia at Brighton Gardens in Salt Lake, and to Hospice for Utah. Funeral Directors, Russon Brothers, SLC. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com