Elda Jaques Stevenson

Our dear, sweet mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, Elda, completed her mortal journey on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the age of 95.  Born May 4, 1927, to loving parents Thomas Delbert Jaques and Jesse Myrtle Sim. Elda was the youngest of five children. They included three brothers, Dale, Darrell, and Keith, and one sister, Ruth.

She was raised in Clearfield, Utah and graduated from Davis High School in 1945.  She wanted to attend Utah State University but finances required that she stay at home and so she attended Weber College, as was known then.

She met Richard S. Stevenson at a dance that she had attended with his cousin.  Richard was on leave from his military service and asked her to dance.  She spent the rest of the evening dancing with him. They were married on September 16, 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Elda loved gardening, and flowers were her passion.  She always had a beautiful yard and pots of pretty flowers outside her doorway.  She kept a beautiful and inviting home that reflected all that she cherished. It was filled with pictures of her family and sentimental things.   She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and she crocheted edges around countless baby blankets for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved to read, was a member of a book club, and recently enjoyed playing “words with friends”.   She was a sports fan and the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Utah Jazz were her favorites.  Elda liked going to movies and was not afraid to laugh out loud. She would often laugh until she cried. She was always dressed to the nines and enjoyed shopping.  Recently, when going out to shop was no longer possible, she had fun shopping online.  She adored her cats, even though she was allergic to them! They loved her and were great company. She enjoyed sweets including ice cream, rice pudding, and warm chocolate chip cookies on Sunday nights.

Elda’s greatest joy was her family.  She loved spending time with them at the family Bear Lake Cabin. Family was always welcome in her home, and she always had time to talk and share her wisdom and funny stories.  She was interested in what was happening in the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and kept cookies and treats at hand to “sweeten” their visits.  She taught patience, kindness and love through example. She delighted in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She had many friends that brought her joy.  She made friends easily wherever she went and in all her activities.  She worked at Mildred’s clothing store in Layton.  She was an aide at Kaysville Junior High for several years and enjoyed her co-workers and the students.  She volunteered at Davis Hospital for many years and made many close friends there.  She loved social events of any kind. She was especially fond of weekly lunches at Taco Time, fancy parties, and even casual get togethers.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Primary and Relief Society.  She was a faithful visiting sister, and she and Richard served a mission in Salt Lake City.

It is quite impossible to capture the essence of all that Elda was in the brief lines of an obituary. Her devotion, humor, kindness, and enthusiasm for life will forever influence all who knew and loved her.

She clipped a poem from the newspaper some years ago and asked that it be included in her obituary.  It is perhaps what she would most want to be said.

            Don’t cry at my grave ‘cause I won’t be there.

I’ll be in the breeze that ruffles your hair.

I’ll be in the sunshine, I’ll be in the snow;

I’ll be in the places we used to go.

I’ll be in your laughter,

And in funny things,

I’ll be in your shadow,

And there in your dreams.

I’ll be in your greetings,

But not your goodbyes,

I’ll be in the reflection of your loving eyes.

I’ll always be with you, and I’ll always care,

So, don’t cry at my graveside

‘cause I won’t be there.

                         Author Unknown

Elda is survived by her children, Pat Jamison, Rich Stevenson (Marie), Bob Stevenson (Lisa), Mary Duerden (Keith), and Mark Stevenson (Tamara); thirteen grandchildren, and 33 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her dear husband, parents, siblings, one grandson, and special friend, Haven J. Barlow.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Elda’s wonderful caretakers: Melia, Cindy, Lyla, Siopa, Helena, Mele, Carol, Sei, and special, long-time friend Esther.  Elda truly appreciated their kindness, company, and loving care.  Many thanks as well to Stephanie, Ali, Shannon, and Lindsay of Independence Hospice.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit with family Sunday, January 8, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday, January 9 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

 Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed at www.lindquistmortuary.com by scrolling to the bottom of Elda’s obituary page.

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