Jeanette Munk Woolley

Jeanette Munk Woolley died on December 11, 2024, from complications following a car accident. She was born May 29, 1936, in Logan Utah to Dr. Newel and Sophronia Munk. Despite her abiding affection for Logan, she moved to Salt Lake after graduating from Utah State University to teach elementary school. There, she met James Walker Woolley and they were married in the Logan temple in 1960. After marrying, they lived in Denver, Austin, New Jersey, and England before settling in Salt Lake and raising four children, all of whom are sure she was the best mother ever. After launching her children, she earned a Master’s degree at the University of Utah and started a second career as an award-winning librarian at Jackson Elementary, retiring in 2001.

Jeanette loved the outdoors, she waterskied until she was 80, skied until she was 87, and hiked the canyons and foothills with her beloved German shepherd until the day of the accident. She never met a stranger and nurtured anyone who entered her orbit. Over the years she provided sanctuary and support for many wandering souls and cherished those connections across time. She found purpose and comfort in the church and served admirably in many callings.

Her happy place was Hebgen Lake in Montana. As a young woman she spent summers there, forging close bonds with sisters, nieces, and nephews. Later in life she thrived on sharing the lake, hikes, and scenery with a steady stream of summer visitors. Nothing made her happier than gathering her nine adored grandchildren all together at the lake.

Jeanette was the last of the four magnificent Munk sisters, who spent their golden years in close comradery, traveling and hiking. She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Jim Woolley, her four children, Sue Scholz (Curtis), Calvin Woolley, Camille Stephenson (Paul), and Eddie Woolley (Whitney), nine grandchildren, and 18 nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss her buoyant presence and treasure her memory. 

Funeral services will be held at the ward house at 2615 Stringham Avenue in Salt Lake City on Saturday, December 21. Visitation begins at 10:00 and services start at 11:00.