Remembering Marjorie Pay Hinckley, Part Three
A Photograhic Essay
By Maurine and Scot Proctor

Marriage and Family

She and Gordon B. Hinckley were married on 29 April 1937 in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder Stephen L. Richards, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  (President Hinckley was called to serve as an Assistant to the Twelve Apostles in April 1958, to the Quorum of the Twelve in September of 1961 and became the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 13 March 1995).

Radiant couple—always happy together.  Kirtland, Ohio.

The young couple began their married life in Salt Lake City in a small farmhouse in Millcreek.  President Hinckley was employed at Church headquarters in downtown Salt Lake, and Marjorie continued her employment at the glass company until the birth of their first child.  As the family increased in size, the Hinckleys built a home on property down the lane from their first house, still in the rural East Millcreek area.  By 1954 they were parents of five children, Kathleen, Richard, Virginia, Clark and Jane.

Even though in later years she was always helped along, her hand was always slipping out to wave at the Saints she loved.  Freiberg, Germany.

Marjorie was an energetic mother and made good use of humor to settle many of life’s difficulties.     She loved being a mother and delighted in every moment with her children.  She especially enjoyed the sound of the screen door slamming as the children ran in and out of the house.  She was sad every fall when the children went back to school because she missed them so much during the day.

Sister Hinckley, always a good sport around the throngs of crowds that surrounded her and her husband.  Freiberg, Germany.

An avid reader, Marjorie encouraged her children to gain knowledge by studying and reading.  As the family traveled in the car on vacations, she would read to them from the classics.  Although her formal education was interrupted by economic stress during the depression, she encouraged her children to seek degrees in higher education.  She was a student of the scriptures and often used the words of ancient and latter-day prophets to teach and inspire others.

Sister Hinckley brought her daughters on trips to escort her (here seen with Jane).  The Hague, Netherlands.

Living in Utah most of her life, except for a brief time in Denver while her husband was working for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, Marjorie had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the world.  She developed a special appreciation for the people in the Far East.  Hong Kong became a favorite city, and she was delighted when her children and their spouses were able to gather in Hong Kong with her and President Hinckley to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

A Dedicated Student

A dedicated student of the lives of her ancestors, Marjorie delighted in the opportunity to share stories of their faith and devotion taken from her research and that of others.  Searching for family names in genealogical facilities was a major part of her life.  Pedigree charts, pictures and written histories were often visible in her home, and she used this acquired knowledge to encourage others in numerous public addresses.

President and Sister Hinckley arrive with daughter Kathleen for a member meeting in Accra, Ghana (January 10, 2004).

Marjorie Hinckley was recognized numerous times, having named for her the Marjorie Pay Hinckley Chair in Social Work and Social Science from Brigham Young University in April of 2003, and receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Utah Valley State College in April of 2001 and the heritage award during the centennial celebration of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers that same year.  From BYU she received an honorary doctoral degree in Christian Service in April of 2000.  Other recognition included the distinguished Service to Humanity Award in 1998, Freedom Festival Award in 1997 and the Exemplary Womanhood Award in 1996.

President and Sister Hinckley surrounded by the Saints they love so much.  Accra, Ghana.

Marjorie Pay Hinckley lived almost all of her life in Salt Lake City, but her influence has spread all around the world.  She visited nearly every continent.  She conversed comfortably with such dignitaries as the queen of Thailand and prime minister of Britain, but felt equally at ease with ordinary people wherever she went.

Click here to continue with Part Four of “Remembering Marjorie Pay Hinckley”