Jean Palmer Hanks, age 80, beloved wife, devoted mother, loving grandmother, choice companion, outstanding teacher, musician, and servant of all, passed away peacefully at home 18 December 2017. She was born 13 December 1937 to E. Darrell and Leah Susannah Hinckley Palmer in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from East High School and BYU. She taught elementary school and served an LDS mission to Ireland. She married her sweetheart, Paul Ashton Hanks, in the Salt Lake Temple 14 December 1964. After faithfully raising her family, Jean filled LDS missions with her husband in Dallas, Texas, New Zealand MTC, and Washington D.C. Temple. She was a hostess in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, volunteered at the Joseph Smith Academy in Nauvoo and most recently served as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple. Her example of unwearied diligence, patience, dedication, faithful endurance, quiet strength, and enduring love was felt by all who knew her. She was always positive and happy. She had a strong testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and of the LDS Church. She leaves a legacy of faith, love, and devotion to her family and countless friends and associates.
She is survived by her sweetheart, Paul, six children, Paul Alonzo (Susan) Hanks, Sean Palmer (Mayra) Hanks, Jonathan Ashton (Mary) Hanks, Heidi Jean (H.G.) Kunzler, Susann (Tyler) Kreitzer, Amelia Mae (Karl) Heap, 24 grandchildren, 3+ great-grandchildren, her sister Ruth (Ralph) Driggs and her brother Richard (Sharon) Palmer. Preceded in death by her parents, Darrell and Susannah Palmer.
A celebration of her life will be held in the Capitol Hill Ward, 413 N. West Capitol Street on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held Friday night from 6:00 ‚ 8:00 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Ward and Saturday morning at the church prior to services from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Donations can be made to the LDS Church Humanitarian fund.
