Elaine Margaret Gardner

Elaine was called home suddenly but peacefully on the 12th of November, following just one day of painful heart failure symptoms.

She had a great big, beautiful, loving heart, which everyone that knew her could easily see and feel

Left behind to navigate her sudden absence is her beloved husband of 31 years, Blaine Skeen Gardner. As well as many, many others.

Elaine loved yellow roses, black licorice, the Tabernacle Choir, Brussels sprouts, a full English breakfast, milk chocolate (never dark), sunny Utah winters, serving in the Bountiful Utah Temple for 25 years, Yorkshire Puddings, frogs, and …. you!

She was also a lead-foot driver (she made a habit of hitting 100mph on the motorway once on each trip back to England - don't tell anyone!). She was delighted by her first full throttle blast on Blaine's motorcycle, "That was GORGEOUS!" was her reaction.

Elaine’s greatest love in life was her family.

She was born February 25, 1947 to Cyril Anthony and Kathleen Burton in St Ives, Huntingdonshire, England. She was the oldest of 8 children; her siblings are Sandra, Gerald, David, Michael, Patricia, Susan & Stephen. Her father had been a tenant farmer and that meant the family moved around wherever the work was, finally settling in Darlington in the north-east of England. Elaine was the first in the family to attend a Grammar school, this was a state paid for school for children who passed an entry exam for intelligence - highly sought after. Elaine always loved singing and was a member of the church choir growing up. This love of singing and choral music was always part of her life.

Elaine has three daughters who she loves dearly and deeply, Dawn, Deborah (Chris) and Elaine Jr.; four grandchildren who are her world Jade, Owen, Samuel, and Grace; and one great grandson Jenson Blaine (his great-grandfather is unreasonably pleased with Jenson's middle name).

Blaine & Elaine first met on a bitter cold New Year's Eve 1980 in Salisbury, England. 13 years later they (mostly Blaine, he's kinda slow sometimes) figured out it was much more than friendship. Elaine moved to the United States in 1994, not leaving behind her family and friends but adding a whole new family and even more friends to her life. Blaine was amused that he became a step-father and grandfather on their wedding day. Blaine and Elaine were married August 3rd, 1994 in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for time and all eternity.

They set about blending their worlds together. She quickly became a beloved member of the Gardner family. A young nephew said to his mom, "Auntie Elaine talks funny". His mom told him "It's not funny, just different because she's from a different place". He replied: "I know, but her words are curly". Early on one of the little nieces called them "Auntie BElaine", and it stuck. They were so much a part of each other they only needed one name.

Family and friends enjoyed the epic Christmas Eve parties, her captivating laugh, her genuine interest in each person she spoke with, Christmas crackers, flag cakes on July 4th, her inability to show up to any gathering empty handed, and her way of making each individual feel important, valued, and loved.

Elaine had a lifelong vocation in nursing. Her whole working life involved looking after others, starting as a registered staff nurse in her late teens/early twenties. She moved from her family hometown in Darlington to the opposite end of the country in 1975 with her 3 children to take up a role as a Ward Sister in a hospital for mentally handicapped adults. Looking after 3 young girls and managing a demanding career became the norm for Elaine. In 1980, she became a Nursing Officer, one of the highest grades in the nursing system, when she was given the opportunity to create a one of a kind home for mentally handicapped children. This prompted a move to another part of the country, this time Salisbury in Wiltshire. Elaine was responsible for overseeing the design and build of the home, along with the recruitment of all the staff who would work there. She called the home Hillcote and this was the highlight of her career.

A pillar of the local community in Salisbury, Elaine sat on many committees and was often the guest speaker at local events, opening local fetes and acting as a mentor for others. Her work at Hillcote was used as a case study for other similar homes to be built. The families that her dedication helped, spread throughout the surrounding counties, were richer for her unwavering and constant support.

Her need to care for others continued when she moved to America, and she blessed the lives of many of her special children and their families on this side of the pond.

Her niece Hailey said “with her accent, her grace, and her love … she always kind of felt like royalty to me”

In honor of Elaine, forgive a hurt, let go of a grudge, comfort an aching heart, or heal a wound.

If you feel so inclined, she would appreciate donations to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian fund in lieu of flowers (which she also loves).

https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/

Till We Meet Again.