Elaine Hull Browning

After a long and courageous battle with cancer—a phrase she’d likely roll her eyes at—Elaine Hull Browning passed peacefully, surrounded by those she loved most on April 5, 2026.

Elaine was born September 30, 1953, in Hooper, Utah to her loving parents, Norman and Elizabeth Hull. She reminisced of her youth on her family’s farm fondly, sharing amusing memories made with her 10 siblings, cousins, and neighbors—a group that believed Ogden was the “big city” and that playing in the ditch was the best way to spend an afternoon.

She graduated from Roy High School in 1971 and went on to Painter’s Beauty College. After graduating with her cosmetology license in 1972, Elaine worked as a hairdresser, opening her salon, New Tempo Hair Design, in 1979. She successfully ran the shop with a large clientele and employees who became lifelong friends until her retirement in 2019. Elaine was a girl boss before that was even a thing.

After spending much of her 20’s working, taking girls’ trips, being the fun aunt, and a couple of regrettable boyfriends, Elaine met her lifelong sweetheart, Craig Browning—but only after she’d given him a haircut. (He got cuter the more hair she cut off.) Their first date took place on the last day of 1978, and they married on June 14, 1980. Elaine fulfilled her dream of becoming a mother with the births of her three girls over the coming years. She often said that nothing made her happier than getting to be their mom.

Elaine embraced people for who they were without judgment, always willing to offer a listening ear and a good laugh. She supported others in their interests and successes--and also in their struggles. Elaine was always the aunt her nieces and nephews called when they knew they couldn’t tell their parents. Her door, and sometimes even her wallet, were open to those who needed a safe place to land or a little extra love and support.

Elaine was an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, she always enjoyed gathering with the ladies to learn about and celebrate her ancestors. Elaine served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life. She was an example of Christlike love and service, from her service in the temple, to serving as a teacher and in the presidencies of the Young Women’s, the Relief Society, and as Primary President. She was the sister in the ward you could call on a Saturday, requesting five dozen cupcakes for Primary the next morning and she had it covered like it was no big deal—even though she’d had a full day of back-to-back clients first.

As accomplished, entertaining, and generous as Elaine was, being a mom and grandma were her actual superpowers. She served as PTA president, always had popsicles or a soda for the friends of her girls, carpooled the neighborhood to school or Lagoon or the library in her Vanagon, and believed in traditions and making meaningful memories together. The adoration she had for her six grandchildren was mutual—they all love their Nanny Elaine. She made magic and traditions happen on every birthday and holiday; her 12 Days of Christmas for her children and grandchildren were epic. Her thoughtful gifts showed just how well she knew you. Nanny Elaine loved to watch and attend her grandkids’ activities and was the first to celebrate a hard-fought homerun or hole-in-one. But her time, her energy, her friendship and love, her example of how to be a good human: these are the gifts her family appreciates and will miss most of all.

Elaine is survived by her husband; her three daughters, Allyson (Nathan) Howell, Ashley (Christian) Wright, and Andrea (JC) Kippen; her grandchildren, Addy, Benson, and Finn Wright and Brady, Jack, and Hazel Howell who will miss her always and work hard to be an example and carry on her legacy; her siblings, Rosalie (Ferril) Muir, Richard (Carol Ann) Hull, Carol (Jim) Earl, Dan (Martha) Hull, Wayne (Pamela) Hull, Robert (Sue) Hull, Barbara (Duane) Smith, Clair (Cathy) Hull, and Duane (Connie) Hull; in-laws, Julie (Dennis) Hamblin and Joan (Brian) Thull.; many nieces and nephews who will always refer to her as one of the favorites.

She was preceded in death by her infant sons, Norman and William; her parents; parents-in-law, Keith and Patricia Browning; sister, Louise McCartney; and sister-in-law, Kathy Thomas.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at the Intermountain Health Cancer Center at McKay-Dee Hospital for fighting the battle alongside Elaine for so many years. We are forever grateful for the additional time they gave us to build memories and cherish our mom. The family also extends their immense gratitude to the staff of McKay-Dee Hospital Intensive Care Unit for their compassion, skill, dedication, and care of Elaine and our family in her final days.

In Elaine’s memory, please call that person you’ve been meaning to, volunteer for an assignment, give someone a second chance, buy school supplies for a child who needs it, pay for the car behind you at the drive-thru--just remember: you’re the exact person someone else needs.