Elaine Low Jack

Family, friends and flowers were some of Elaine Jack's favorite things. Each blossomed under her consistent sowing, nurturing and harvesting hands and heart. Unlike her recent unsteady gait, Elaine's curiosity, warmth, and intellect never faltered. Her multi-generational recall of people, places and relationships exemplified her connection with others and encouraged others to join in.

Elaine was born March 22, 1928, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, the third child of Sterling and Lovina (Anderson) Low, and died in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 10, 2025. She was nurtured in a home that valued good grammar, cleanliness, manners and education. Community and family activities in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and the Cardston Temple laid a foundation for an optimistic lifetime of efficient hard work and service. She was enlivened by the outdoors and delighted in being surrounded by flowers in mountain meadows, her yard, and on her kitchen table. Their beauty was accompanied by music, frequently by her own hands at the piano.

Elaine left Cardston to attend the University of Utah. There she met and later married Joseph Erle Jack, Jr., a newly minted physician. They made their first homes in New York City, Boston and Alaska. The Salt Lake Valley has been their home since 1958.

She and Joe were a team, consistently displaying their devotion to each other and to immediate and extended family. Together with their four sons they actively golfed, skied, boated, backpacked and hiked. A passion for playing games was shared not only with them, but also with grandchildren.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was central in Elaine's life, beginning in her close-knit childhood community and extending to service in worldwide Church callings. She served for 11 years as a General Relief Society Board member and later as a counselor to Ardeth Kapp in the General Young Women's Presidency. Her service as General President of the Relief Society (1990-1997) coincided with broad societal changes for women in the Church as well as a wider international reach. In that calling she travelled the globe and enthusiastically related the circumstances and experiences of those she met. Her administration highlighted the diverse individual needs, talents, and interests of women while emphasizing the great power and strength that comes by uniting all in the cause of charity, service, devotion and love. Upon her release as General Relief Society President, she and her husband were called as President and Matron of the Cardston Temple.

One of Elaine's favorite expressions was, "Aren't we blessed," and all who have been touched by her truly have been blessed. Among her blessings were her siblings, Bruce (Ruth), Jean (Owen), and David (Jerry). She is survived by her sons David (Gayle), Bill (Madeline), Eric (Karen) and Gordon (Jill), 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 13 at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at the Holladay 18th Ward Chapel, 2625 East Milo Way, Holladay, and will be live streamed on YouTube, @holladay18thwardstreaming51. The family will receive visitors at the chapel from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. prior to the services.