Faye Johnson Connell 8/16/1922 ~ 3/7/2005 Our beautiful, wonderful mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend - Faye Johnson Connell - passed away on Monday, March 7, 2005 at the LDS Hospital surrounded by her family. She was ill for only a short time and passed peacefully to the next life from complications due to Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was 82. Faye was born to a well-known family of pioneer heritage from Tooele, Utah. Her parents were [the late] Erb M. and Florence Barber Johnson. She was born on August 16, 1922 and was the fourth of eight children. Faye graduated from Tooele High School and attended Brigham Young University. She studied music at the McCune Mansion in Salt Lake City. She was trained in opera and was a talented and popular soprano singing at thousands of weddings, funerals, church programs and social events. She married [the late] Edward J. (Bud) Connell on February 27, 1943 in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho and their marriage was later solemnized in the Latter-day Saint Temple in Logan, Utah, July 14, 1959. He preceded her in death on Dec. 12, 2004. Bud and Faye were married for 62 years. Although she was born and raised in Tooele, Faye (and her family) spent the majority of the first 30 years of her marriage in New York, Ohio and Florida (except for a brief period of time when she lived in Provo, Utah). In 1972, she returned, with her husband and children, to Tooele where she was employed as an accountant at the Tooele Army Depot for 13 years. She retired from there in 1988 The three things that were the most important to Faye were the Gospel, music and her family. Faye was a humble, devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in numerous church callings and, as a young mother of six children, she spent eight consecutive years in callings as the Primary president, president of the Young Women's Association, and president of the Relief Society. Additionally, she served in stake leadership capacities and as a Primary teacher, Relief Society teacher, visiting teacher, choir director and ward chorister. Her choir was renowned and she conducted many beautiful Christmas and Easter cantatas. Service to others was her standard. She served faithfully and diligently and was, virtually, never without a church calling. Her most favorite calling was that of temple ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple where she served for six years with her husband, Bud. Faye came from a 'singing' family. Her father, Erb, was a sought-after soloist, as were her two sisters, Roxie Dobson Bolinder and [the late] Barbara Andersen. The family often performed together and was well known for the beauty, harmony, 'natural' music, and blending of their voices. Faye's kindness, sincerity, humility and generosity of spirit caused many to seek her counsel. Friends and family alike trusted her with their innermost thoughts. She consistently offered comfort and compassion and never spoke ill of others. Her wisdom enlightened others all the last days of her life. During the last two years, Faye and Bud undertook a huge project that she felt would strengthen family enjoyment in the county. With her husband, she was responsible for founding and building the new family-bowling center in Tooele. Her motivation for completing this monumental task was her "Daddy's" desire to "give back" to the community. The family center is named after her husband, "Buddy's" and will open in April of 2005. Sister Connell was faithful to her testimony all of her life. She loved the Lord, her Savior and taught her family truth through how she lived. But, it was her love for her children that was paramount in her life. For them, she made her house into a home and was the consummate nurturer and devoted mother. Through example, she taught that which was "virtuous, lovely or of good report". Her children have been and will continue to be blessed by her love. Her beauty and presence will be with us always. Faye was preceded in death by her parents, Erb M. and Florence Barber Johnson. Siblings who preceded her in death include Luana Williams, Don Johnson, Dee Johnson (and spouse Margaret Johnson), Ross Johnson, and Barbara Andersen. Her husband, Edward J. (Bud) Connell died on December 12, 2004 and their youngest son, Blake Edward Connell, died January 21, 1992. Faye is survived by her husband's niece from California, Faye Walker, who lived with her the last two months of her life. She is also survived by siblings, Roxie Dobson Bolinder, Joann Fleenor Simmonds, family members, Ross and Naomi Williams; and Betty Johnson (wife of the late Ross Johnson). She is survived by 30 nieces and nephews. Faye is survived by five of her six children: Adele O. Connell, Jed (and Millie) Connell; Mark (and Debbie) Connell; Paulette (and Glenn) Baucom; Charlene (and Joe) Dalto; and 18 grandchildren: Shawn Connell, Kristen Connell, Karen Connell, Patrick Connell, Melanie Hall, Rachel Hall, Adam Herman, Emily (and Ryne) Hammond, Ashly Jensen, Jesika Connell, Jenna Connell, Justine Connell, Jamie Connell, Katherine Connell, Abram Baucom, Tiffany Connell, Jane Dalto, Blake Dalto and three great grandchildren. There will be a viewing at the Tate Mortuary, Wed., March 9, 2005 from 6-8 p.m. located at 110 S. Main Street, Tooele, UT. Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the North Tooele Stake Center, 583 N. 270 E., Tooele, 11 a.m. Thursday, March 10, 2005. Friends may call from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church on the day of the funeral.

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Published in Deseret News on Mar. 9, 2005.