Elaine James Sorensen

Elaine James Sorensen, an amazing woman and the matriarch of her family, passed away at her home on October 17, 2011, surrounded by her family.

Elaine was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 27, 1919, the eldest child of Milton E. James and Augusta Peterson James. While attending the University of Utah, she fell in love with J. Gordon Sorensen, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 20, 1939.

Elaine is survived by her children: Dr. Sherman G. Sorensen (Elayne), Sonnie Swindle (Stephen), John G. Sorensen, Jr. (Pamela), and Sharon Quinn (Jeffrey). She was predeceased by her husband, J. Gordon Sorensen, her eldest child, Sherrie Ann Sorensen, and her sister, Beverly James Peterson. Elaine is also survived by nine adoring grandchildren: Andrea Theis (John), Erik Sorensen (Aimee), Christopher Swindle (Kathy), Geoffrey Swindle (Adria), Graham Sorensen, Morgan Sorensen, Emily Quinn, Alex Quinn (Joseph Warren) and Ryan Quinn. Surviving Elaine are also seven great-grandchildren who likewise adored her: Jessica Theis; Chloe, Brooks and Alec Swindle; Ella, Lilly and Luke Swindle, and by many loving friends.

Elaine was energetic, strong, independent and adventurous. There was seemingly never an idle moment in her life! She was deeply committed and fiercely loyal to her family and friends. They were the core of her life, and she was the cohesion of theirs. She adored each one, loved being with them, and shared with them her unconditional love. Elaine ensured that her many friendships - dating back to her childhood - remained close, meaningful and lasted a lifetime! Every birthday, holiday or other cause for celebration, great or small, was a very special occasion to Elaine, and she went to enormous efforts to make certain that was the case for all.

Elaine's grandchildren frequently acknowledge their appreciation for the love and attention she bestowed on them and for her involvement in their lives. They are truly the beneficiaries of her exemplary concern and devotion. She was their friend, their advisor.

Elaine began a career at the family bank, Home Savings Bank, at the tender age of 60, and she continued to work there actively for more than three decades until the age of 92. To Elaine, work was not a burden … but rather a blessing.

Elaine loved her heritage and the Salt Lake City community. Elaine was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was also a member of Chi Omega Sorority while attending the University of Utah, and later the Salt Lake Country Club, Town Club and the Junior League.

Elaine led a life full of hope, cheerfulness and optimism, and she was grateful for her long, healthy and productive life. She befriended nearly everyone she met, never complained and was seldom discouraged. Her concerns were always focused on her family and friends. She also had a deep love and concern for animals - something for which local veterinarians were most appreciative.

Elaine traveled throughout the world with Gordon and their friends. Following his death in 1992, she continued to travel frequently with her family. Particularly meaningful to Elaine was her annual "birthday trip" to San Francisco with her daughters and granddaughters. Bay Area merchants were likewise appreciative of their annual visits!

Elaine's life was defined by being a good sport and living life to the fullest. Whether flying along with family pilots Gordon and John, trekking through monuments and museums around the world, subjecting herself to thousands of photographs from Gordon's cameras, or reading a book while he fished on the Teton River, she was game for it! Elaine had a keen intellect and eye for all things beautiful, a lifelong desire to learn, a strong work ethic, an immense love for family, resilience to adversity and a strong and undoubting perseverance to the very end. Her energy for life was an enviable trait and one difficult to emulate by her family and friends, much as they tried!

Elaine's family is grateful for the devoted and compassionate care she received in the last few weeks of her life from her caregivers, including Dr. Daniel Yarrish, Ashley, Kathryn, Rebecca, Danny, Ben, Janet, Lisa, Debbie and Jan. A special thanks to Alex Quinn and Joseph Warren for their attention and devotion to Elaine for many years.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Her family will receive friends at the same location on the preceding evening, Friday, October 21, from 5 - 8 p.m. A private interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

All of Elaine's family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of her life at the Salt Lake Country Club, 2400 Country Club Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah following the funeral service, or 2:00 p.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, Salt Lake City, UT.