Elaine W. Gill
Forever Young
We mourn and celebrate the departure of our dear mother and friend, Elaine Widsteen Gill, who went home on February 16, 2008. She was born in Rexburg, ID on August 9, 1920 to Gustav Eliot Widsteen and Erma Irene Bennion.
Elaine was one in a million. Her sense of humor and fun-loving spirit were infectious. She loved life and was tireless in her pursuit of it. She read avidly and enjoyed traveling and could name wildflowers and birds. Elaine obtained an Associate degree from Ricks College, taught school, wrote poetry, and directed stage shows and plays. She worked at Primary Children's Hospital for many years as a buyer. Elaine started a book club with some of the many friends she made throughout her life; the book club still thrives. Even though golf became her passion, Elaine was known to stop playing in the middle of a fairway to pick watercress. One of her golfing friends, who preceded Elaine in death, promised to meet her at the pearly gates with golf clubs in hand.
Undoubtedly Elaine's children were her greatest joy, and she loved each unconditionally. They are the fulfillment of her life's dream of having a large and loving family. We will miss our wise mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. But, in her absence we gain peace in the knowledge that she is now celebrating with family and friends, and that her strength of mind and body is restored and her reality is one of unexplored paths and new adventures. Elaine, we will see you in every bright-eyed, white-haired woman enjoying life, every wildflower, every hummingbird flitting around a feeder, there you'll be reminding us to live fully.
Elaine is survived by daughters Pauline Gill, Jerilynn Leavitt (Cloyd), sons David (Kristine), Daniel (Julie), Bradley (Judy), Richard, and daughter-in-law Kathy and loving friends of the family, Judith Erickson, Ann Martin, and Mark Johnson. She leaves 25 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by son Michael (Kathy), mother, father, brothers Floyd and Wilford, sister Charlotta Webber, and ex-husband Dr. Gerald Park Gill.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at the Bountiful 24th Ward, 720 East 550 North, at 1:30 p.m., where friends may call prior to the funeral at Noon (12:00 p.m.). Interment will be at Memorial Estates, 1640 East Lakeview Dr., in Bountiful. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.memorialutah.com