1928 ~ 2016
Colleen Fern Hinckley Maxwell, our cherished wife, mother and grandmother, returned peacefully to meet her Heavenly Father and loving husband on Sunday, January 17, 2016. Colleen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928, to "goodly parents", Fern Anna and George Edwin Hinckley. She had an idyllic childhood growing up with her two brothers, George and Ed, eating popcorn by the fire and playing happily in their father's magical garden.
Colleen attended East High and then the University of Utah, where she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics. While at the "U", she was active in Lambda Delta Sigma and Chi Omega sororities where her open hearted goodness made her many dear friends. After graduation, she taught home economics in junior and senior high schools in Thatcher, Arizona, and Salt Lake City.
Around this time, Colleen met "an outstanding returned missionary" named Neal Maxwell. She remembers him as "a very impressive young man" and that "everyone seemed to have great admiration for him." After their first date, Colleen and Neal really "hit it off" and felt that they were meant for each other. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 22, 1950.
Colleen and Neal wasted no time before they started exploring the wider world, moving to Washington D.C., where they lived from 1952-1956. Their time in the nation's capital was stimulating and rich with friends.
But home beckoned, and Neal and Colleen returned to Salt Lake when Neal was hired at the University of Utah. Soon after, Neal was called to be a bishop of a university ward and Colleen, with their four young children in tow, served diligently by his side and often gathered students to their home.
Colleen's devotion to her children was complete and she manifested it through countless acts of selfless service. This loving-kindness was later extended wholeheartedly to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who treasure memories of drinking from tea cups at her famous Peacemaker Parties, eating Marie Callendar's pie at special one-on-one birthday lunches and discussing happiness, goodness, and religion at Grandparents' Firesides.
Along with taking care of her family and supporting Neal in his demanding callings, including as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Colleen fulfilled many callings in her wards. She served as Primary President, Young Women President and Relief Society President. In addition, she was a member of the Young Women General Board. She also faithfully carried out her calling as a Stake Relief Society President while Neal served in the Seventy.
Colleen traveled with Neal on his church assignments throughout the world, making long hours fly by with her ready support and equally ready laugh. As they traveled, her superlative optimism lifted the hearts of all who met her. When Neal was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996, Colleen carried him through dark moments with her unrelenting love and brightness of hope. She was so cheerful during this difficult time that her family gave her the nickname Bluebird of Happiness. When her beloved Neal passed away in 2004, she continued to seek out and root for others.
Despite her busy life, Colleen gave hours of her life to community service, tutoring reading at the Guadalupe Center; volunteering at the Spina Bifida Clinic; and serving on boards for Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah.
Through constant lifelong devotion to living gospel principles and consistent study of the scriptures, Colleen became grounded and rooted in faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His Atonement. This engendered an ability to endure with unwavering gratitude and to trust in God's plan throughout her life, but particularly in her final years. The family is most grateful for the exceptional care of her physicians and also for the angelic ministering of her dear nurses.
Colleen is survived by: her brother, Ed (Joyce) Hinckley, Bluffton, SC; her four children, Becky (Michael) Ahlander, Las Vegas, NV; Cory (Karen) Maxwell, Melbourne, Australia; Nancy (Mark) Anderson, Orem, UT; and Jane (Marc) Sanders, Salt Lake City, UT; 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Fern Hinckley, and by her brother, George Hinckley.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 12:00 noon, at the Monument Park II Ward, 1005 S. 2000 E. Salt Lake City, UT. A viewing will be held Friday, January 22, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S. SLC. Another viewing will be held Saturday, at the ward, prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:40 a.m. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Primary Children's Hospital.
Funeral Home
Larkin Sunset Lawn
2350 E 1300 S Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801) 582-1582
Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Jan. 21 to Jan. 22, 2016
Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, wife of the late Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at age 87 on Jan. 17, 2016.
Sister Maxwell was born on April 8, 1928 — Easter Sunday — in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Erwin and Fern Anna Johnson Hinckley. She had two brothers, George and Ed, and was a first cousin to President Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th president of the LDS Church.
Sister Maxwell attended the University of Utah and was a member of the Lambda Delta Sigma and Chi Omega sororities during her time there. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in home economics education in 1950 and soon found a teaching job in a high school in Thatcher, Arizona, that same year. During a summer home from teaching, she was pleasantly surprised when Neal Maxwell, who she had met while attending the Latter-day Saint Institute in 1949, called her to ask her on a date.
Colleen remembered him as "a very impressive young man" and that "everyone seemed to have great admiration for him." After that first date, they soon hit it off — they began their courtship in July, were engaged by September, were planning to be married in December and moved up the date to marry in the Salt Lake Temple on Nov. 22, 1950.
The young couple soon moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a staffer in the United States Senate from 1952 to 1956. They moved back to Salt Lake City when he was hired at the University of Utah as an assistant director of public affairs in 1956.
Despite medical problems before and during the pregnancy of her first child, Becky, Sister Maxwell handled the pain and pressures with grace. They became the parents of four children — Becky, Cory, Nancy and Jane — and have 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
During Elder Maxwell's many callings in the LDS Church, ranging from bishop to Seventy to apostle, Sister Maxwell offered invaluable support. She was known for her calming influence on her often fast-paced and sometimes impatient husband. Elder Maxwell described his wife as "a more complete Christian" than he was, with a great desire to serve others.
When Elder Maxwell was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996, she supported him through dark moments with what her family described as her "unrelenting love and brightness of hope." Sister Maxwell's cheerfulness earned her the family nickname of "Bluebird of Happiness." After her husband died in 2004, she continued to seek out ways to serve others.
With deep, lifelong devotion to the LDS Church. Sister Maxwell served in many local callings, including Primary, Young Women and Relief Society president, and as a member of the church's Young Women general board. She even served as a stake Relief Society president while Elder Maxwell served in the Quorum of the Seventy.
In addition to her church callings, Sister Maxwell also contributed community service tutoring reading at the Guadalupe Center, volunteering at the Spina Bifida Clinic and serving on boards for Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah.
Funeral services will be Saturday at noon at the Monument Park II Ward, 1005 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake City. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department of the LDS church or to Primary Children's Hospital.
[email protected]
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645813/Colleen-Hinckley-Maxwell-wife-of-Elder-Neal-A-Maxwell-dies-at-age-87.html on January 21, 2016
Colleen Fern Hinckley Maxwell, our cherished wife, mother and grandmother, returned peacefully to meet her Heavenly Father and loving husband on Sunday, January 17, 2016. Colleen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928, to "goodly parents", Fern Anna and George Edwin Hinckley. She had an idyllic childhood growing up with her two brothers, George and Ed, eating popcorn by the fire and playing happily in their father's magical garden.
Colleen attended East High and then the University of Utah, where she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics. While at the "U", she was active in Lambda Delta Sigma and Chi Omega sororities where her open hearted goodness made her many dear friends. After graduation, she taught home economics in junior and senior high schools in Thatcher, Arizona, and Salt Lake City.
Around this time, Colleen met "an outstanding returned missionary" named Neal Maxwell. She remembers him as "a very impressive young man" and that "everyone seemed to have great admiration for him." After their first date, Colleen and Neal really "hit it off" and felt that they were meant for each other. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 22, 1950.
Colleen and Neal wasted no time before they started exploring the wider world, moving to Washington D.C., where they lived from 1952-1956. Their time in the nation's capital was stimulating and rich with friends.
But home beckoned, and Neal and Colleen returned to Salt Lake when Neal was hired at the University of Utah. Soon after, Neal was called to be a bishop of a university ward and Colleen, with their four young children in tow, served diligently by his side and often gathered students to their home.
Colleen's devotion to her children was complete and she manifested it through countless acts of selfless service. This loving-kindness was later extended wholeheartedly to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who treasure memories of drinking from tea cups at her famous Peacemaker Parties, eating Marie Callendar's pie at special one-on-one birthday lunches and discussing happiness, goodness, and religion at Grandparents' Firesides.
Along with taking care of her family and supporting Neal in his demanding callings, including as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Colleen fulfilled many callings in her wards. She served as Primary President, Young Women President and Relief Society President. In addition, she was a member of the Young Women General Board. She also faithfully carried out her calling as a Stake Relief Society President while Neal served in the Seventy.
Colleen traveled with Neal on his church assignments throughout the world, making long hours fly by with her ready support and equally ready laugh. As they traveled, her superlative optimism lifted the hearts of all who met her. When Neal was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996, Colleen carried him through dark moments with her unrelenting love and brightness of hope. She was so cheerful during this difficult time that her family gave her the nickname Bluebird of Happiness. When her beloved Neal passed away in 2004, she continued to seek out and root for others.
Despite her busy life, Colleen gave hours of her life to community service, tutoring reading at the Guadalupe Center; volunteering at the Spina Bifida Clinic; and serving on boards for Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah.
Through constant lifelong devotion to living gospel principles and consistent study of the scriptures, Colleen became grounded and rooted in faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His Atonement. This engendered an ability to endure with unwavering gratitude and to trust in God's plan throughout her life, but particularly in her final years. The family is most grateful for the exceptional care of her physicians and also for the angelic ministering of her dear nurses.
Colleen is survived by: her brother, Ed (Joyce) Hinckley, Bluffton, SC; her four children, Becky (Michael) Ahlander, Las Vegas, NV; Cory (Karen) Maxwell, Melbourne, Australia; Nancy (Mark) Anderson, Orem, UT; and Jane (Marc) Sanders, Salt Lake City, UT; 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Fern Hinckley, and by her brother, George Hinckley.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 12:00 noon, at the Monument Park II Ward, 1005 S. 2000 E. Salt Lake City, UT. A viewing will be held Friday, January 22, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S. SLC. Another viewing will be held Saturday, at the ward, prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:40 a.m. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Primary Children's Hospital.
Funeral Home
Larkin Sunset Lawn
2350 E 1300 S Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801) 582-1582
Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Jan. 21 to Jan. 22, 2016
Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, wife of the late Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at age 87 on Jan. 17, 2016.
Sister Maxwell was born on April 8, 1928 — Easter Sunday — in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Erwin and Fern Anna Johnson Hinckley. She had two brothers, George and Ed, and was a first cousin to President Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th president of the LDS Church.
Sister Maxwell attended the University of Utah and was a member of the Lambda Delta Sigma and Chi Omega sororities during her time there. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in home economics education in 1950 and soon found a teaching job in a high school in Thatcher, Arizona, that same year. During a summer home from teaching, she was pleasantly surprised when Neal Maxwell, who she had met while attending the Latter-day Saint Institute in 1949, called her to ask her on a date.
Colleen remembered him as "a very impressive young man" and that "everyone seemed to have great admiration for him." After that first date, they soon hit it off — they began their courtship in July, were engaged by September, were planning to be married in December and moved up the date to marry in the Salt Lake Temple on Nov. 22, 1950.
The young couple soon moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a staffer in the United States Senate from 1952 to 1956. They moved back to Salt Lake City when he was hired at the University of Utah as an assistant director of public affairs in 1956.
Despite medical problems before and during the pregnancy of her first child, Becky, Sister Maxwell handled the pain and pressures with grace. They became the parents of four children — Becky, Cory, Nancy and Jane — and have 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
During Elder Maxwell's many callings in the LDS Church, ranging from bishop to Seventy to apostle, Sister Maxwell offered invaluable support. She was known for her calming influence on her often fast-paced and sometimes impatient husband. Elder Maxwell described his wife as "a more complete Christian" than he was, with a great desire to serve others.
When Elder Maxwell was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996, she supported him through dark moments with what her family described as her "unrelenting love and brightness of hope." Sister Maxwell's cheerfulness earned her the family nickname of "Bluebird of Happiness." After her husband died in 2004, she continued to seek out ways to serve others.
With deep, lifelong devotion to the LDS Church. Sister Maxwell served in many local callings, including Primary, Young Women and Relief Society president, and as a member of the church's Young Women general board. She even served as a stake Relief Society president while Elder Maxwell served in the Quorum of the Seventy.
In addition to her church callings, Sister Maxwell also contributed community service tutoring reading at the Guadalupe Center, volunteering at the Spina Bifida Clinic and serving on boards for Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah.
Funeral services will be Saturday at noon at the Monument Park II Ward, 1005 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake City. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department of the LDS church or to Primary Children's Hospital.
[email protected]
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645813/Colleen-Hinckley-Maxwell-wife-of-Elder-Neal-A-Maxwell-dies-at-age-87.html on January 21, 2016
1928 ~ 2016
Colleen Fern Hinckley Maxwell, our cherished wife, mother and grandmother, returned peacefully to meet her Heavenly Father and loving husband on Sunday, January 17, 2016. Colleen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928, to "goodly parents", Fern Anna and George Edwin Hinckley. She had an idyllic childhood growing up with her two brothers, George and Ed, eating popcorn by the fire and playing happily in their father's magical garden.
Colleen attended East High and then the University of Utah, where she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics. While at the "U", she was active in Lambda Delta Sigma and Chi Omega sororities where her open hearted goodness made her many dear friends. After graduation, she taught home economics in junior and senior high schools in Thatcher, Arizona, and Salt Lake City.
Around this time, Colleen met "an outstanding returned missionary" named Neal Maxwell. She remembers him as "a very impressive young man" and that "everyone seemed to have great admiration for him." After their first date, Colleen and Neal really "hit it off" and felt that they were meant for each other. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 22, 1950.
Colleen and Neal wasted no time before they started exploring the wider world, moving to Washington D.C., where they lived from 1952-1956. Their time in the nation's capital was stimulating and rich with friends.
But home beckoned, and Neal and Colleen returned to Salt Lake when Neal was hired at the University of Utah. Soon after, Neal was called to be a bishop of a university ward and Colleen, with their four young children in tow, served diligently by his side and often gathered students to their home.
Colleen's devotion to her children was complete and she manifested it through countless acts of selfless service. This loving-kindness was later extended wholeheartedly to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who treasure memories of drinking from tea cups at her famous Peacemaker Parties, eating Marie Callendar's pie at special one-on-one birthday lunches and discussing happiness, goodness, and religion at Grandparents' Firesides.
Along with taking care of her family and supporting Neal in his demanding callings, including as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Colleen fulfilled many callings in her wards. She served as Primary President, Young Women President and Relief Society President. In addition, she was a member of the Young Women General Board. She also faithfully carried out her calling as a Stake Relief Society President while Neal served in the Seventy.
Colleen traveled with Neal on his church assignments throughout the world, making long hours fly by with her ready support and equally ready laugh. As they traveled, her superlative optimism lifted the hearts of all who met her. When Neal was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996, Colleen carried him through dark moments with her unrelenting love and brightness of hope. She was so cheerful during this difficult time that her family gave her the nickname Bluebird of Happiness. When her beloved Neal passed away in 2004, she continued to seek out and root for others.
Despite her busy life, Colleen gave hours of her life to community service, tutoring reading at the Guadalupe Center; volunteering at the Spina Bifida Clinic; and serving on boards for Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah.
Through constant lifelong devotion to living gospel principles and consistent study of the scriptures, Colleen became grounded and rooted in faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His Atonement. This engendered an ability to endure with unwavering gratitude and to trust in God's plan throughout her life, but particularly in her final years. The family is most grateful for the exceptional care of her physicians and also for the angelic ministering of her dear nurses.
Colleen is survived by: her brother, Ed (Joyce) Hinckley, Bluffton, SC; her four children, Becky (Michael) Ahlander, Las Vegas, NV; Cory (Karen) Maxwell, Melbourne, Australia; Nancy (Mark) Anderson, Orem, UT; and Jane (Marc) Sanders, Salt Lake City, UT; 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Fern Hinckley, and by her brother, George Hinckley.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 12:00 noon, at the Monument Park II Ward, 1005 S. 2000 E. Salt Lake City, UT. A viewing will be held Friday, January 22, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S. SLC. Another viewing will be held Saturday, at the ward, prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:40 a.m. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Primary Children's Hospital.
Funeral Home
Larkin Sunset Lawn
2350 E 1300 S Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801) 582-1582
Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Jan. 21 to Jan. 22, 2016
Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, wife of the late Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at age 87 on Jan. 17, 2016.
Sister Maxwell was born on April 8, 1928 — Easter Sunday — in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Erwin and Fern Anna Johnson Hinckley. She had two brothers, George and Ed, and was a first cousin to President Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th president of the LDS Church.
Sister Maxwell attended the University of Utah and was a member of the Lambda Delta Sigma and Chi Omega sororities during her time there. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in home economics education in 1950 and soon found a teaching job in a high school in Thatcher, Arizona, that same year. During a summer home from teaching, she was pleasantly surprised when Neal Maxwell, who she had met while attending the Latter-day Saint Institute in 1949, called her to ask her on a date.
Colleen remembered him as "a very impressive young man" and that "everyone seemed to have great admiration for him." After that first date, they soon hit it off — they began their courtship in July, were engaged by September, were planning to be married in December and moved up the date to marry in the Salt Lake Temple on Nov. 22, 1950.
The young couple soon moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a staffer in the United States Senate from 1952 to 1956. They moved back to Salt Lake City when he was hired at the University of Utah as an assistant director of public affairs in 1956.
Despite medical problems before and during the pregnancy of her first child, Becky, Sister Maxwell handled the pain and pressures with grace. They became the parents of four children — Becky, Cory, Nancy and Jane — and have 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
During Elder Maxwell's many callings in the LDS Church, ranging from bishop to Seventy to apostle, Sister Maxwell offered invaluable support. She was known for her calming influence on her often fast-paced and sometimes impatient husband. Elder Maxwell described his wife as "a more complete Christian" than he was, with a great desire to serve others.
When Elder Maxwell was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996, she supported him through dark moments with what her family described as her "unrelenting love and brightness of hope." Sister Maxwell's cheerfulness earned her the family nickname of "Bluebird of Happiness." After her husband died in 2004, she continued to seek out ways to serve others.
With deep, lifelong devotion to the LDS Church. Sister Maxwell served in many local callings, including Primary, Young Women and Relief Society president, and as a member of the church's Young Women general board. She even served as a stake Relief Society president while Elder Maxwell served in the Quorum of the Seventy.
In addition to her church callings, Sister Maxwell also contributed community service tutoring reading at the Guadalupe Center, volunteering at the Spina Bifida Clinic and serving on boards for Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah.
Funeral services will be Saturday at noon at the Monument Park II Ward, 1005 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake City. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department of the LDS church or to Primary Children's Hospital.
[email protected]
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645813/Colleen-Hinckley-Maxwell-wife-of-Elder-Neal-A-Maxwell-dies-at-age-87.html on January 21, 2016
Colleen Fern Hinckley Maxwell, our cherished wife, mother and grandmother, returned peacefully to meet her Heavenly Father and loving husband on Sunday, January 17, 2016. Colleen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928, to "goodly parents", Fern Anna and George Edwin Hinckley. She had an idyllic childhood growing up with her two brothers, George and Ed, eating popcorn by the fire and playing happily in their father's magical garden.
Colleen attended East High and then the University of Utah, where she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics. While at the "U", she was active in Lambda Delta Sigma and Chi Omega sororities where her open hearted goodness made her many dear friends. After graduation, she taught home economics in junior and senior high schools in Thatcher, Arizona, and Salt Lake City.
Around this time, Colleen met "an outstanding returned missionary" named Neal Maxwell. She remembers him as "a very impressive young man" and that "everyone seemed to have great admiration for him." After their first date, Colleen and Neal really "hit it off" and felt that they were meant for each other. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 22, 1950.
Colleen and Neal wasted no time before they started exploring the wider world, moving to Washington D.C., where they lived from 1952-1956. Their time in the nation's capital was stimulating and rich with friends.
But home beckoned, and Neal and Colleen returned to Salt Lake when Neal was hired at the University of Utah. Soon after, Neal was called to be a bishop of a university ward and Colleen, with their four young children in tow, served diligently by his side and often gathered students to their home.
Colleen's devotion to her children was complete and she manifested it through countless acts of selfless service. This loving-kindness was later extended wholeheartedly to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who treasure memories of drinking from tea cups at her famous Peacemaker Parties, eating Marie Callendar's pie at special one-on-one birthday lunches and discussing happiness, goodness, and religion at Grandparents' Firesides.
Along with taking care of her family and supporting Neal in his demanding callings, including as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Colleen fulfilled many callings in her wards. She served as Primary President, Young Women President and Relief Society President. In addition, she was a member of the Young Women General Board. She also faithfully carried out her calling as a Stake Relief Society President while Neal served in the Seventy.
Colleen traveled with Neal on his church assignments throughout the world, making long hours fly by with her ready support and equally ready laugh. As they traveled, her superlative optimism lifted the hearts of all who met her. When Neal was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996, Colleen carried him through dark moments with her unrelenting love and brightness of hope. She was so cheerful during this difficult time that her family gave her the nickname Bluebird of Happiness. When her beloved Neal passed away in 2004, she continued to seek out and root for others.
Despite her busy life, Colleen gave hours of her life to community service, tutoring reading at the Guadalupe Center; volunteering at the Spina Bifida Clinic; and serving on boards for Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah.
Through constant lifelong devotion to living gospel principles and consistent study of the scriptures, Colleen became grounded and rooted in faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His Atonement. This engendered an ability to endure with unwavering gratitude and to trust in God's plan throughout her life, but particularly in her final years. The family is most grateful for the exceptional care of her physicians and also for the angelic ministering of her dear nurses.
Colleen is survived by: her brother, Ed (Joyce) Hinckley, Bluffton, SC; her four children, Becky (Michael) Ahlander, Las Vegas, NV; Cory (Karen) Maxwell, Melbourne, Australia; Nancy (Mark) Anderson, Orem, UT; and Jane (Marc) Sanders, Salt Lake City, UT; 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Fern Hinckley, and by her brother, George Hinckley.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 12:00 noon, at the Monument Park II Ward, 1005 S. 2000 E. Salt Lake City, UT. A viewing will be held Friday, January 22, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S. SLC. Another viewing will be held Saturday, at the ward, prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:40 a.m. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Primary Children's Hospital.
Funeral Home
Larkin Sunset Lawn
2350 E 1300 S Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801) 582-1582
Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Jan. 21 to Jan. 22, 2016
Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, wife of the late Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at age 87 on Jan. 17, 2016.
Sister Maxwell was born on April 8, 1928 — Easter Sunday — in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Erwin and Fern Anna Johnson Hinckley. She had two brothers, George and Ed, and was a first cousin to President Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th president of the LDS Church.
Sister Maxwell attended the University of Utah and was a member of the Lambda Delta Sigma and Chi Omega sororities during her time there. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in home economics education in 1950 and soon found a teaching job in a high school in Thatcher, Arizona, that same year. During a summer home from teaching, she was pleasantly surprised when Neal Maxwell, who she had met while attending the Latter-day Saint Institute in 1949, called her to ask her on a date.
Colleen remembered him as "a very impressive young man" and that "everyone seemed to have great admiration for him." After that first date, they soon hit it off — they began their courtship in July, were engaged by September, were planning to be married in December and moved up the date to marry in the Salt Lake Temple on Nov. 22, 1950.
The young couple soon moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a staffer in the United States Senate from 1952 to 1956. They moved back to Salt Lake City when he was hired at the University of Utah as an assistant director of public affairs in 1956.
Despite medical problems before and during the pregnancy of her first child, Becky, Sister Maxwell handled the pain and pressures with grace. They became the parents of four children — Becky, Cory, Nancy and Jane — and have 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
During Elder Maxwell's many callings in the LDS Church, ranging from bishop to Seventy to apostle, Sister Maxwell offered invaluable support. She was known for her calming influence on her often fast-paced and sometimes impatient husband. Elder Maxwell described his wife as "a more complete Christian" than he was, with a great desire to serve others.
When Elder Maxwell was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996, she supported him through dark moments with what her family described as her "unrelenting love and brightness of hope." Sister Maxwell's cheerfulness earned her the family nickname of "Bluebird of Happiness." After her husband died in 2004, she continued to seek out ways to serve others.
With deep, lifelong devotion to the LDS Church. Sister Maxwell served in many local callings, including Primary, Young Women and Relief Society president, and as a member of the church's Young Women general board. She even served as a stake Relief Society president while Elder Maxwell served in the Quorum of the Seventy.
In addition to her church callings, Sister Maxwell also contributed community service tutoring reading at the Guadalupe Center, volunteering at the Spina Bifida Clinic and serving on boards for Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah.
Funeral services will be Saturday at noon at the Monument Park II Ward, 1005 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake City. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department of the LDS church or to Primary Children's Hospital.
[email protected]
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645813/Colleen-Hinckley-Maxwell-wife-of-Elder-Neal-A-Maxwell-dies-at-age-87.html on January 21, 2016
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