Sister Kathleen J. Eyring, wife of President Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve, passed away in her home in Bountiful on Sunday, Oct. 15, following a life of service and faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was 82 years old.
Sister Eyring’s passing was announced earlier today in a news release by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Kathleen J. Eyring was born and raised in San Francisco, California, on May 11, 1941, and studied at the University of California at Berkley and Harvard for a summer term.
Sister Eyring met President Henry Benion Eyring during a summer semester at Harvard University in 1961. Henry B Eyring said that he was inspired by her goodness and said “If I could only be with her, I could be every good thing I ever wanted to be.” The two were married a little over a year later on July 27, 1962, in the Logan Utah Temple.
The couple has four sons and two daughters.
The Eyrings were married for more than 60 years. Of their 60 years together, President Eyring was involved in full-time service to the Church for more than 40 years including roles as apostle and leadership within the quorum of the twelve. Sister Eyring was described as her husband’s biggest supporter and companion.
During President Eyring’s multiple years of employment and full-time church service, he sought to yield to the counsel of Sister Eyring. “He heeded her counsel and received the impression to carefully consider new job opportunities with an open mind,” The Church News Release said. Shortly after, President Eyring was called to be president at Ricks College in 1971.
After President Eyring was called as president of Ricks College, their growing family moved from their home in Palo Alto, California to Rexburg, Idaho. Although their life situation had drastically changed, President Eyring said Sister Eyring never complained.
The Church release said that their growing family “grew closer together during their time in rural Idaho.” The couple picked up many hobbies like skiing, golfing and playing tennis. The couple won the Rick’s College doubles tennis in 1975.
Throughout her life, Sister Eyring served the Lord by serving others. “Kathleen served faithfully in many formal Church responsibilities” serving as a visiting teacher, and newsletter producer. She was always striving to emulate the Christlike attribute of inclusivity. “She would always seek out ‘the one’ without fanfare and help that person feel her love and the love of the Savior,” according to the Church.
Her son Henry J. Eyring said, “Mother is extraordinarily talented and ambitious.” Henry said that her sense of responsibility has always been to serve Heavenly Father and his children.
Kathleen continued to provide “support and companionship” to Henry after his cancer surgery in 2005 and was called to the First Presidency in 2007.
Sister Eyring had a talent for writing and offered editorial advice and counsel to Henry throughout his career and Church service. The Church release explained that she wrote a young adult novel and won a statewide prize for young adult literature in 1979.
President Eyring has discussed his wife’s declining health in recent years, mentioning that she struggled with memory challenges. He cared for her as her health declined and said “Kathleen has always been a person that made me want to be there very best that I can be.”
Funeral services are unannounced and pending.
