Elaine Parker

(Mary) Elaine Wagstaff Parker, 87, beloved wife, mother and friend quietly slipped away on Monday evening, February 18, 2019 in Oakley, Utah of causes incident to age. Elaine was born on March 11, 1931 in Union, Utah to Melvin Guy and Roxy Ann Hall Wagstaff. Mom was orphaned at an early age and spent her formative years in Bennion, Utah with her uncle Eugene and aunt Cordelia Wagstaff and their family. She attended the “old” Plymouth school and graduated from Jordan High School, class of 1949.

Elaine began training as a nurse during her senior year of high school. She was required to live at the old Holy Cross Hospital. She worked as a practical nurse until changing careers and becoming a stewardess for United Airlines. (“I was a stewardess. NOT a flight attendant!”) Entrance into the program was competitive and rigorous. She eventually was based in Chicago and traveled throughout the country. She met a variety of famous folks and had some great stories. A favorite was when she was invited to dinner (several times) by boxing champ Rocky Marciano. Her reply was always, “Sure Mr. Marciano, I’d love to go to dinner with you... and Mrs. Marciano.”

She married William Alvin Parker (“Wig”) on May 11, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple. They
honeymooned in Dad’s mission area in Central America. That began a lifelong interest in different cultures, languages, and people. One of Mom’s favorite church callings was as the stake cultural refinement specialist. Once a month for seven years, we would have a family home evening lesson on whatever culture and country the Relief Society was learning about. Mom incorporated cultural holidays into our canon of family traditions.

Mom was an accomplished homemaker and was proud of her career as a wife and mother. She was on the tail end of the ‘greatest generation’ and instilled the Depression-era work ethic in her children. Many summer mornings we were on our hands and knees weeding “the south forty” while friends were buzzing around on bicycles.

Elaine was a faithful and dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In spite of us kids, she really tried to have a gospel-centered home. She and dad served several service missions and she was an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple.

Elaine and Wig built a home in Taylorsville in 1959 and raised four children. In 2014, they moved to Elk Meadows in Oakley, Utah. Mom and Dad were married for 60 years before his death in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her oldest son William Cleveland “Cleve” in 1996. She is survived by three children: Brett Alvin (Katrina), Francis, UT; Curtis Leon (Cami), St. George, UT; and daughter Ruth (Marc) Johnson, West Bountiful, UT. She is also survived by beloved daughter-in-law Sue (Brent) Seeley, Tooele, UT; numerous grand and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings as well as grandson Benjamin and great-granddaughter Jaycee Anne.

An abiding thanks to the staff of Elk Meadows who took such great care of Elaine (and Wig).
A viewing will be held Friday, February 22, 2019, 6-8:00 p.m. and the funeral will be Saturday, February 23 at 1:00 pm with a viewing 12:00-12:45 pm at the McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road. Interment, Redwood Memorial Estates.

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