Elaine Parcell Jensen Obituary (1914

On October 22, 2010, Elaine Bird Parcell Jensen graduated suma cum laude from this life to the next. She was surrounded with love and service and appreciation for a life well-lived. Her strong will and determination to keep busy all her days kept her going right up to the last hours of her life. She was 96 and died of causes incident to her age. She was affectionately known in her family as 'G', a letter of the alphabet that now has been personalized and memorialized as a symbol of love and affection. Elaine was born in Mapleton, UT on March 25, 1914. She was the first born of Vernon Ray and Myrtle Peterson Bird. As the eldest, she learned at an early age that her eight brothers and one sister would look to her for love and guidance. They were never disappointed as she was the 'go to' sibling for advice and counsel after their father passed away at an early age. Elaine's teenage years centered on the religious and social activities at the White Church in Mapleton. From those early years, she developed a deep and abiding love for the scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ, from which she never wavered. She was a true daughter of Zion and defended the faith wherever she went. Many of the wonderful poems she wrote throughout her life reflected the deep commitment to her pioneer heritage and her personal observations of nature, people and ideas. She maintained her intellectual curiosity right to the end. Hers was a life with family and friends galore, one party after another, full of flowers and cats and good food – and questions that demanded answers. She was the first of her family to be born and is the last to pass away. In fact, she is the last living person of her 1931 Springville High School graduating class. She married Lyman (Pat) Alden Parcell in 1932 in the SL Temple. Together, they raised their own family of two girls and three boys. She and 'Pat' moved from Provo to Ogden to SLC and back to Provo. She grew wherever she was planted and could always be found busily engaged in LDS Church, community and political activities. She particularly enjoyed working with the youth and held many responsible positions throughout her life. Pat passed away in 1983. In spite of poor health, she remained active in pursuit of learning new skills, writing poetry, was an active participant in DUP and Family History data entry, was an adopted grandma to new readers in the first and second grades at Provost School, and took classes at BYU. She was a wonderful pen pal to friends, nieces, nephews and grandson missionaries in many places in the world. Later, she was the beneficiary of modern medical miracles, which changed her life. She was able to travel, work in her garden and write poems about her new found interests and energies. She was always known as an optimist and an incurable romantic. One of her best late life accomplishments, however, was charming widower and fellow poet, Howard Jensen. They were married May 1, 1997. Howard and Elaine enjoyed their companionship and extended families, with a special fondness for spending time at Grandpa's Shining Mountain. Dear Howard passed in 2005. Elaine is survived by her children: Joan (Larry) Ashton, Springville; Brenda (James) Winegar, Provo; Clive (Linda) Ottumwa, IA; Michael (Sherri), Aiken, SC; Lance (Ute), Yorba Linda, CA and Howard's family: Kairle (Glade) Terry; Karma (Gary) Fryer; Sharon (Brent) Fryer; Tamara (Bill) Dyet; Paul and David (Joan); 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. Elaine's life will be celebrated with family and friends at funeral services to be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, October 29, 2010 at the Bonneville 4th Ward Chapel, 1289 East 300 South, Provo. Friends may call at Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 E. Center, Thursday evening from 6 until 8 and at the church Friday morning from 10:30-11:45 prior to services. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent through www.bergmortuary.com or info@bergmortuary.com. The family acknowledges the caring love and attention from the staff at Summerfield Manor, Alpine Hospice and family members who attended to her comfort.