Family and Church Leaders Eulogize Frances J. Monson as One Who “Deeply Loved”

Describing Frances J. Monson as a woman who left a "legacy of humility, service, faithfulness and love,"Ann M. Dibb, daughter of Frances J. Monson and Church President Thomas S. Monson, eulogized her mother today at Sister Monson's funeral in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Ann said her mother was one who "deeply loved" her parents, family, the gospel of Jesus Christ and her husband, President Monson. "It has been said that listening is an act of love," Ann said. "Mother must have loved me and Dad a lot because she listened to us a lot. ... Each of us grew up knowing we were deeply loved."

Frances J. Monson, wife of Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away Friday, 17 May, of causes incident to age. She was 85.

Sister Monson was also honored at the funeral by President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, counselors in the Church's First Presidency.

In his remarks, President Eyring noted that "while this is a time of sorrow, it is also a time of gladness for Sister Monson, who had a rich and rewarding life." He added that her "talents were many, her love abundant, her character above reproach and her faith unshakable."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf described Sister Monson as a “true woman of Zion” with a "depth of spirit and character." Although Sister Monson rarely, if ever, spoke at length to members of the Church, President Uchtdorf said, her "compassionate, kind and gentle life is full of sermons by which we and the membership of this Church are richly blessed and which will never be forgotten."

Quoting a line from the Scottish poet James Barrie that President Monson often quotes, President Uchtdorf said memories “‘provide June roses in the December of our lives.’ The sweet memories of his Frances, our Sister Monson, will certainly provide beautiful June roses for President Monson and all of us throughout our lives, until we meet again.”

Born on 27 October 1927, Frances Beverly Johnson was the youngest child and only daughter of Franz E. Johnson and Hildur Booth Johnson.

President and Sister Monson met in 1944 and were married on 7 October 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple. The couple have three children: Thomas Lee, Ann Frances and Clark Spencer; they also have eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Thousands of people gathered in the Tabernacle to watch the services, while tens of thousands more listened via television, Internet and radio to pay tribute and respect to Sister Monson. The funeral services were broadcast live via LDS.org, KSL 5, KSL.com, KSL NewsRadio HD-2, BYU TV, BYU TV Global, BYU TV International, KBYU and the Church satellite system.

Dignitaries including government, political, civic, faith and other leaders also attended the funeral.

Graveside services were held at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. More information and photos from the funeral and graveside service will be added as they become available.