Eileen McConnell Sawyer

Wrapped in the love of those blessed to call her mom, sister, and grandma, Eileen McConnell Sawyer, slipped peacefully from this life into the waiting embrace of her Father in Heaven on December 2, 2025. Awaiting her on the other side were her beloved parents, James H. McConnell and Viola Catherine Smith, who first welcomed her into this world on October 24, 1951, in Glendale, California.

Raised in El Monte, California, she often said she was blessed with the very best family and the most magical childhood. Her days were spent in the yard her father lovingly tended, playing in the front lawn with neighborhood friends, listening to avocados thump onto the roof and roll down like nature’s own lullaby. She cherished afternoons in Brownies and Girl Scouts with her mother by her side, baseball games with her dad, and endless adventures playing “cowboys and Indians” with her brother and cousins.

At Arroyo High School, she found joy in being a song leader—one of her happiest memories was performing at a Los Angeles Rams game and, of course, at Disneyland. Along the way, she gathered lifelong friends who later helped carry her through some of life’s challenges. Among those dear hometown friends, the Shane family has always held a special place in her heart. Through their example and friendship, she found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a discovery that changed the course of her life. Once she embraced the gospel, she never looked back. Her faith, steady and shining, became the center of who she was and echoed in every interaction with her fellow men.

In our family, we’ve long said she had “sunshine coming out of her bum”—and since she isn’t here to scold us for using a bathroom word in her obituary, we’ll say it proudly: it’s absolutely true. She was pure sunshine and light. She made everyone feel as though they mattered profoundly to her… because they did. From her children and grandchildren to her nieces and nephews, from lifelong friends to ward members, coworkers, and customers, every person who crossed her path walked away feeling seen, valued, and loved.

After graduating high school, she moved to Utah, where she married and was blessed with six children—her greatest treasures. She devoted her entire life to them. She was the mom who showed up for everything, big or small, ordinary or extraordinary. If one of her kids needed her, she was there. This devotion only deepened when she became a grandmother. Her pride for her family was boundless, and we all learned early on that anyone Mom knew… knew about us, cherished every update, and celebrated every accomplishment right along with her.

Even as she faced cancer with courage and grace, she refused to let illness dim her commitment to those she loved. She watched football, basketball, soccer, concerts and even ballroom competitions through livestreams—never missing a chance to cheer. In her final weeks, she still found the strength to support her grandsons in their state championship game, her love reaching farther than her body could.

After her divorce, she returned to the banking industry, where she rebuilt a life full of purpose, dignity, and community. She felt deeply blessed by the remarkable coworkers and friends she gained over decades of impeccable service. She poured tremendous care, thoughtfulness, and sincerity into her work, serving customers at First National Bank of Layton, First Security, Barnes Banking Company, and finally Zions Bank Corporation. Zions Bank’s careful and loving care of our mom was truly unmatched. They made her cancer journey calmer and more stress-free, surrounding her with understanding, compassion, and dignity every step of the way. The family will be eternally grateful for the way they honored her, lifted her, and loved her during some of her hardest days.

In the beautiful valley communities of Eden and Huntsville, she found not just customers, but true friends—people who loved her, supported her, and walked beside her through her cancer journey. Their kindness made it easy for her to keep working as long as she could, because she felt held and strengthened by their care.

Mom was the epitome of kindness and love, touching the lives of everyone around her for good. She leaves behind a legacy of friendships, neighbors, and coworkers who hold her heart close and have been forever touched by her thoughtfulness and unwavering love. She truly taught us how to love one another.

There are so many beautiful things we will always associate with our mom—Hallmark Christmas movies, anything Disney, surfing, See’s Candies, NASCAR, baseball, and especially the Dodgers. We are grateful for every laugh, every tear, every joyful memory, and even the hard moments, because they shaped us into who we are. They made us a strong family that sticks together, no matter what.

Rest easy, Mom. We’ve got it from here. You taught us well.

She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her children: Shannon (John) Bankhead, James (Jennifer) Sawyer, Michael (Crystal) Sawyer, Paul Sawyer, Cliff (Kyleigh) Sawyer, and Chase (Sarah) Sawyer; her beloved brother, Bruce (Kathy) McConnell, and sister, Sheila Melle. In recent years, she was also blessed to reconnect with siblings from her adoption—Marilyn Anderson and Quillie Kinard—who welcomed her with love and warmth, adding new chapters of family joy to her life.

Her world revolved around her grandchildren, who will miss her chocolate Santas and morning “Happy Birthday” songs: Brody & Dylin, Catie & Stewart, Porter & Grace, Allyson, Emily, Elder Wyatt Sawyer, Jacob, Gabriel, Elder Chandler Sawyer, Kimzi, Aaliyah, Ivy, Sean, Brighton, Emmett, Liam, Jackson, Clayton, Brynlee, Cameron, & Dallon. She was also blessed to meet her first great-grandchild, Leo, whose arrival brought her immeasurable joy.

Mom was always cherished by her in-laws, whose love and support meant the world to her: Judy and Steve Farr, Brenda and Matt Goodson, Lynn and Teri Sawyer, Larry and Susan Sawyer, and Neal and Patti Sawyer. She loved you all deeply and was grateful for your presence in her life every single day.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, James H. McConnell and Viola Catherine Smith; her brother-in-law, Horst Melle; and her sister-in-law, Joan McConnell. Mom was also deeply loved and cared for by Norman and Betty Sawyer, who helped fill the hole in her heart after she lost her parents. Even after her divorce, their love and support remained unmatched, a constant source of comfort and strength throughout her life.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Valley 7th Ward Chapel, 5735 South Crestwood Drive, Ogden. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Eileen obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com where condolences may also be shared and the full obituary viewed.