Evelyn Jean (Nichols) McConkie

Peacefully, she joined her Father in Heaven after a valiant fight with cancer. No doubt she was welcomed by her parents, in-laws, two daughters, her siblings, all 10, and a multitude of ancestors anxious to greet her, and welcome her back to the family.

Evelyn was born December 16, 1948, in Park City, Utah, weighing in at 3 pounds 2 ounces. She spent her first three months in an incubator at the old Salt Lake County Hospital on twenty-first South State Street in Salt Lake City. She was the Fourth surviving child of Willard Thomas Nichols and Violet Evelyn Ross. Her childhood years were spent in Park City, Utah, and she graduated from Park City High School in 1967. After High School she attended Stevens Henager College in Salt Lake. She married the love of her life, Forrest Rick McConkie, June 22, 1968, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, Rick and Evelyn have five children.

She was a beloved wife and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and friend; her life was centered on her family. Evelyn was a resourceful homemaker, and a skilled, self-taught seamstress, who’s many quilting and embroidery projects are well known. She enjoyed working with her hands and using her creativity to sew, crochet, and quilt. She loved to cook and was a skillful baker that was handy at making wedding cakes as well as the special shape cakes for birthdays for many friends and family. Like her father and grandfather, she counted her friends by her acquaintances.

As a talented typist and secretary Evelyn worked first for the State of Utah Department of Welfare, then the University of Utah College of Business, and when her children were young, she worked from home for Olympus Publishing and tended children from the neighborhood sometimes with as many as eleven including her own small ones. Her homemade suckers were a well known neighborhood treat in those days. As her children grew older, she went back to work for the State of Utah Division of Wild Life, then an opportunity to work for Nelson and Senior Law firm, Larsen and Stewart Law Firm, McKay, Burton, and Thurman Law Firm, then as Legal Secretary for QEP Resources where she retired in 2017 as an administrative assistant.

A faithful member of her church Evelyn served faithfully in many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Primary Teacher for many years, Ward Family History Consultant, Special assistant clerk and typist for the Ward Bishop, Young Woman’s advisor, Counselor in the Ward Relief Society Presidency twice, Stake Temple and Family History Consultant for many years. She and her husband served at the Jordan River Temple Baptistry for nine years. Evelyn and her husband have compiled and printed six detailed Family Histories which included hundreds of biographies and histories on many of their ancestors and relatives. One embroidery project of hers was to provide special baptism towels for children being baptized. Over the last twenty or thirty years she has provided hundreds of these special gifts.

She was preceded in death by her parents and Sister Ruby Lake (Frank), Sister Barbara Droge (Ronald), brother, John Nichols (Sue), daughter, Jeannette Martinez (Tony). Father-in-law Reed McConkie, Mother-in-law Jennie McConkie, Sister-in-law Jennis & husband Grant Betts, Brother-in-law and wife Russel & Ila Rhae Gingell, Brother-in-law Victor Derhak (Pauline).

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 56+ years, Rick; her four children, daughter Charlene Valestin (Carl), Layton, son Michael McConkie (Stephanie) West Valley City, son Matthew McConkie (TruLynn) Saratoga Springs, son Russell McConkie West Valley City, 3 granddaughters, Nichelle Robbins Magna, Staci Patterson (Malichi), Tooele, Christina McConkie West Valley City, 7 grand sons, Christopher Martinez Magna, Joshua Martinez Salt Lake, Michael Martinez Bountiful, Kenneth McConkie West Valley City, Austin Valestin Layton, Thomas McConkie West Valley City, Jaden Black Meridian, 2 great grandsons Atticus Robbins, and Tobias Patterson. She will also be missed by a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends and acquaintances. We are not aware of anyone that knew her that did not like her.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 28th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6710 West 4145 South, West Valley City. Interment will be in the Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City. Friends may visit Friday night from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 W 4100 S West Valley City, and one hour prior to services at the Church.