Jeanne Adams Wiggill Taft

Salt Lake City, UT- Jeanne was born to Chloe Vilate Adams and Wilford Eli Wiggill in Layton Utah. A child of the depression, she was preceded in life and death by her older sister Virginia, 16 years her senior, and was essentially raised as an only child. As a youth she explored Layton's Main Street, visiting the blacksmith shop, grocery store, and drug store, being told at every turn not to touch. But curiosity and inquiry exhibited at an early age were her strengths. She loved walking the pastures with her father, enjoying onion sandwiches while resting on the ditch banks.

She learned to tap dance and performed with her cousin Hal at county and state fairs and community events. "Dear Old Davis High School" was her alma mater before enrolling at the U of U and joining the Tri-Delt sorority. She earned her way at college by working at the Salt Lake Tribune. She met and fell in love with her husband Seth while at the U and even persuaded him to take a test or two for her in science subjects, not her strength. They married in Layton, and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

During the 1950s, turbulent 60s and liberal 70s, Jeanne and Seth raised two boys, Kyle (Marilyn) and Mark (Ida). As a Den Mother she often piled 6 rowdy cubs into her station wagon for various adventures. She loved playing bridge with friends, skiing in the Wasatch, boating at Lake Powell, and basking in the soft air of Hawaii and Tahiti. After long weekends of skiing, or classes at the U to finish her degree in Elementary Education, her 'favorite' recipe was TV dinners. She loved living in the shadows of Mt. Olympus with every change of season and visits from wildlife. As a perfectionist, she expected stellar results from her family, both a blessing and a curse.

She doted on her six beloved grandchildren - Seth, Adam, Ethan, Rachel, Nigel, and Colin, and five great grandchildren - Benjamin, Zachary, Andrew, Madeline, and Avalyn. She spent her entire teaching career at Woodrow Wilson Elementary where she passed on her love of inquiry and curiosity to first graders, as well as to her sons. She enrolled at Utah State University to obtain her Masters of Education degree, retiring from full time teaching well into her 70s. She worked into her late 80s as a tutor, helping students surmount their educational obstacles and taught the primary children in her Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward. No doubt she will continue to teach.

Tuesday 1 October: Graveside service at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 10 AM; Open house for family and friends at Jeanne's home, 6 to 8 PM. Contact [email protected] for address