Annette Shewell Stanley, age 88, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away on March 31, 2026, lovingly cared for by her husband, F. David Stanley, for the past five years following her stroke. Annette was born on February 11, 1935, in Evanston, Wyoming to Harry Shewell and Lucile James Shewell. She was the sixth of ten children.
She married F. David Stanley on June 29,1956, in the Salt Lake City Temple, shortly after she graduated from West High School. They enjoyed nearly 70 years of faithful marriage. They are the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, thirty-seven grandchildren and thirty-six great grandchildren. Her posterity meant everything to her.
Annette had an amazing measure of faith and a pure testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her fervent and faithful prayers caused her children and grandchildren to ask her to pray for them in times of need and trial. They all knew that mom/grandma was on their side, a protecting and inspiring matriarch.
She devotedly supported her husband through his many church callings; she was the anchor in the home as he was away on church responsibilities. As the heart of the home, she was always there to provide a listening ear and gentle counsel. Their home was always a safe and secure refuge from a troubled world. Mom loved all children dearly and was drawn to them, as they were to her.
Annette is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings throughout her lifetime, beginning at the age of seventeen as a Primary teacher, and at eighteen in the Capitol Hill Ward Primary Presidency. She had a beautiful singing voice and musical talent that she shared throughout her life. She so enjoyed the family singing together around the piano. She served in several callings in the Pioneer Stake Relief Society, Young Women’s and Primary. Later in her life, when Regional callings were included in the Church Organization, Annette served as one of the first Regional Relief Society Presidents under the direction of Jeffery R. Holland, then a Regional Representative. She also served on the General Relief Society Committee. In the 1990s, she served as a wife of the Mission President in the Idaho Boise Mission for two years. Next, serving and traveling throughout Africa with her husband, Elder F. David Stanley, who served in the Africa Area Presidency. She finished that decade of Church service as the Matron of the Bountiful Temple, serving with her husband, President F. David Stanley, for three years. She loved serving the Saints throughout the world.
She later served in many Ward callings in the Ensign Peak Ward.
Annette is survived by her husband and seven children: Deborah (Bill) Wright, Diana (Brian) Thomas, Douglas (Vicki), Matthew (Lisa), Catherine (Lee) Peacock, David (Mary Ann), and Jennifer (Thayne) Hansen, thirty-seven grandchildren and thirty-six great-grandchildren. Also, she is survived by brothers Elsworth Shewell, Cordell Shewell and sister Victoria Collard. She was proceeded in death by her oldest son Mark (Julie) Stanley.
Annette’s influence will be felt for generations for her kindness, faith and testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. She is His disciple and witness.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who cared for Annette with their loving kindness at Legacy House of Bountiful.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Ensign Peak Ward chapel located at 155 North Sandrun Road, Salt Lake City, UT. A viewing will precede the funeral service from 10:00 am to 10:45 am.
A separate viewing will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT.
Interment will take place in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82449346203