Sister Frances B. Monson, wife of LDS Church president, passes away

Published: May 17, 2013, 10:08 a.m. MDT

President Thomas S. Monson and his wife, Frances, wave to the crowd after the Sunday morning session of the 181st Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sunday, April 3, 2011, in Salt Lake City. Tom Smart, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — The wife of LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson died Friday morning.

"Frances B. Monson, wife of Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away at 6:35 a.m. this morning in a Salt Lake City hospital surrounded by family. She had been hospitalized for several weeks and passed away peacefully of causes incident to age. Sister Monson was 86 years old. Funeral arrangements are pending," a news release from the church states.

"She will forever be remembered for her kindness and quiet, sustained support of her husband in his church duties."

Sister Monson grew up in Salt Lake City, graduating from East High School and the University of Utah. She married President Monson Oct. 7, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. The couple have three children.