Ann Bassett Scott

With full hearts and deep gratitude, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Ann Bassett Scott, who returned home on July 5, 2025, in Payson, Utah, at the age of 84. Her final moments were peaceful and sacred, surrounded by the children she loved and nurtured throughout her life.

Ann was born on February 1, 1941, in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Thomas Myrthen Bassett and Henrietta Minson Bassett. The youngest of four living children, she grew up in a home where her industrious parents sacrificed to provide comfort and create happy memories for them.

From a young age, Ann’s zest for life and vibrant spirit were evident. She created playhouses out of blankets and clothespins, published her own neighborhood newspaper and sold it for a nickel, and produced stage shows with friends. She ate green apples, camped under the stars, baked potatoes in raked leaves, played baseball in the street and basketball in the driveway, swam in the Snake River, enjoyed picnics, and explored the sand dunes.

While Ann took piano for five years as a child, her true childhood passion was athletics. Her brother, Art, recently recalled that, despite Ann being much younger than her athletic brothers, a local coach told them that in a game of one-on-one, Ann would win. She became a certified Red Cross swimming instructor and lifeguard and achieved many honors, including “best all-around athlete” in junior high and high school. She led her high school’s girls’ sports club as president and captain and became Southeastern Idaho’s badminton champion. At Brigham Young University, she was voted one of ten female intramural all-stars for the school and was selected to be an officer on BYU’s intramural athletic staff.

Ann’s love of music blossomed in high school, where she joined the choir and a select ensemble called the HiFi’s. She sang first soprano in a local performing trio and studied voice privately for years. She later was awarded a music scholarship at BYU to continue her studies with her teacher.

Inspired by her elder brothers’ academic achievements, Ann excelled in school, earning spots on the honor roll, National Honor Society, and receiving one of six service awards in her graduating class. Her extracurriculars were as diverse as her talents, including Future Nurses Club, Drama Club, Future Homemakers of America Club, Fencing Club, one act plays, class variety shows, and more.

In January 1960, Ann’s life was nearly cut short by a ruptured appendix, and the doctors worried she might not survive the night. Her father called the Idaho Falls Temple to place her name on the prayer roll, and a bishop was quickly notified to give her a blessing. This crisis led many to pray for her, and her recovery was swift and remarkable, an experience that profoundly deepened her faith and strengthened her testimony of Divine help and human love.

On November 20, 1961, Ann married the love of her life, Kenneth Wayne Scott, in the Salt Lake Temple. Their partnership was a cornerstone of her life, and together, they built a family founded on love, faith, sacrifice, hard work, and shared purpose. They were blessed with six children.

Their early married years saw them move from Kansas City to Rochester, New York, before settling in Rockville, Maryland. Ann worked hard and intentionally cultivated a creative and educational environment for her children - teaching them to set goals, work hard, and learn responsibility in tending the home and garden. Her family remembers her delicious warm homemade bread, weekly family home evenings and scripture study, and extensive travels across the country to places like Yellowstone Park, church history sites, Idaho and Utah.

Ann and Wayne were dedicated to teaching their children values, promoting spiritual growth, and creating joyful traditions. They intentionally shaped their family life around the mission of the church - perfecting the saints, proclaiming the gospel, and redeeming the dead - blending faith into every aspect of daily living. Ann and Wayne held many callings in their faith community while also teaching their children. Their creative teaching included creating, marketing, and distributing Family Tree, a genealogy board game to help encourage people to get involved in doing their own research. Eventually the game was repackaged and sold through Bookcraft Publishers and through the church to help raise funds for the Washington, DC temple. They also helped to organize significant community events related to the temple’s dedication.

Professionally, Ann partnered with Wayne in their business, KWS/A (K. Wayne Scott & Ann), contributing her skills in bookkeeping and administration. She also served as a consultant and full-time secretary for his nonprofit organization, the American Family Society (AFS), where their shared passion for strengthening families touched lives around the world. A prolific writer and organizer, Ann co-authored The Great American Family Builder, contributed to Family Forum newspaper articles and national Parade Magazine features, and created innovative family history yearbooks, Armed Forces Radio Network segments, goal-setting programs, and more. Through AFS, Ann and Wayne established National Family Week and hosted multiple White House events honoring great American families alongside President and Nancy Reagan and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Ann was a devoted family historian, meticulously compiling accounts of her ancestors and her husband's lineage, and her own life. She faithfully documented her family's experiences through slides, photographs, recordings, and videos, cultivating a rich and enduring archive for future generations. She taught her children the value of journaling and passed on her love of capturing meaningful moments in creative ways, including a tradition of burying a “family treasure” each year in the backyard with time capsule recordings, goals, and mementos to be unearthed the following year. Ann also made it her life’s work to understand the scriptures, particularly the teachings of Isaiah, finding joy in spiritual insight and ardently desiring to bring her family to Jesus Christ. She believed deeply in the power of remembrance and testimony, and her legacy will bless and inspire for generations to come.

Even in the face of sorrow, illness, uncertainty, and hardship, Ann’s faith in the Lord was her compass - providing comfort, purpose and direction. In her later years, despite persistent physical pain, she seldom complained. Her enduring patience, constant humor, and genuine care for others endeared her to her doctors and caregivers alike.

Above all, Ann was devoted - to her faith, to her family, and to truth. One of the most defining chapters of her life was her steady devotion to her beloved husband, Wayne, during his 11-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Her remarkable strength, compassion, and tireless love sustained him until his passing. That season of selfless service stands as a powerful testimony of her profound commitment to family and her deep love. We now envision their joyful reunion - a whole and at peace - a beautiful reflection of the enduring bond they shared.

Ann was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Kenneth Wayne Scott. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Myrthen and Henrietta Minson Bassett, and her siblings, Ruth Bassett, Thomas Myrthen Bassett, Jr., and Richard Jay Bassett (Janice).

Ann is survived by her loving children: Shannon Scott Jensen (Kim), Catherine Scott Frost (Rick), Andrew Bassett Scott (Vicki), Lorraine Scott States (David), Kimberly Scott Meyers (Carl), and Carolyn Scott (Teiste Brito). She is also survived by her brother, Arthur Ray Bassett (Janet), 20 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom carry her light forward.

A viewing will be held Saturday, July 12, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., followed by funeral services and interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah. For those unable to attend, the funeral service will be live-streamed. Please see the services section below to join.

Ann’s life was a beautifully-woven tapestry of love, commitment, and purpose. Her radiant spirit and profound impact will forever be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her. We find peace in knowing she is reunited with her sweetheart, Wayne, and enveloped in the joyful embrace of family beyond the veil.

Her faith has become sight. Her legacy lives on.