Elaine Conyers Van Dam passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 16, 2016 due to conditions related to old age. She was 88.
Our beautiful, strong, independent, supportive, giving mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend has departed from this plane of existence and moved on.
Elaine was born in Salt Lake City and lived her entire life here. She married Robert T. Van Dam September 20th, 1946.
Elaine returned to school in her fifties to complete her education. She earned a degree in nursing and worked in that field for many years. She made many lifelong friends working as a nurse.
Elaine leaves behind a wonderful family. She is survived by 8 of her children; Jackie L. Van Dam (Gene); Robert T.(Ted) Van Dam (Marilyn); Vicky L. Hodges (Van Dam) (Carl); Julie A. Breckenridge (Van Dam) (Bill); John A. Van Dam; Scott P. Van Dam (Laurie); Jeffery S. Van Dam (Taunya); Joseph (Joe) C. Van Dam (Adonna). She also leaves behind many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Elaine was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Stewart Conyers, her father John W. Conyers, her husband Robert T. Van Dam, and her sisters Roasanna V. Pitts, and Jane Darlyn (Doll)Bergen, a son Stephen M. Van Dam, and a daughter in law Shauna Van Dam.
Elaine had several interests and one of those was her enjoyment of reading. Mom loved reading a good book and she passed this love on to her children and grandchildren. She was energized by shopping and finding a bargain. She enjoyed the movies and feeding the wild cats. Elaine was politically knowledgeable and she liked discussing current issues. She also had many fine qualities. She was kind to everyone. She was an excellent listener and was always listening to and comforting us all.
She will be greatly missed! We love you!
Elaine would like to thank her family and friends: Thank you for all the many wonderful things you have shared and given me. We have had quite a journey together and I have learned much from you; both wonderful and sad at times but infinitely worth the trip. I love you all so much and because of all of you, my life has been so wonderful and difficult times so much easier. Thank you for everything, for all your love, wisdom, patience, support and laughter along the way. Much gratitude, keep Laughing and Living. To all my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Elaine gave her body to the University of Utah School of Medicine for medical study and research. We would like to thank Jeff and Taunya Van Dam for their loving care of mom which enabled her to stay in her home until her death. We would also like to thank Silverado Hospice for their loving care of Elaine. Especially Dr. Kundra; chaplain Tera; Social workers Jennifer and Tiffany and her nurses Missy and Joustafa and her bath lady Mary.
We will have an informal Celebration of Elaine's life at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South on Saturday Dec. 10 from 11:00 to 1:00.
If you would like to donate to a charity in Elaine's name. Her favorite charities are: Best Friends Animal Society-Utah; 2005 So. 1100 East; # 801-432-2124, Alzheimers Association; Utah Chapter; 855 East 4800 South; Suite 100; Salt Lake City, Utah 84107 # 801-265-1944; rdaniel@alz.org
