Rachel Day Patience

Rachel Day Patience, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, September 7, 2025. She was 94 years old. Rachel was known as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was born on April 1,1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the daughter of Harmon Eastman Day and Phoebe McConnell Day. Rachel was one of ten children and lived most of her life in Draper; later, moving to South Jordan, with her husband Joe. She leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and devotion. Her life was a testament to the values she held dear and the lives she touched along the way.

Rachel had a lifelong love of music. She began piano lessons at the age of 14, traveling by bus from Draper to Salt Lake City while working as a housekeeper to pay for her lessons. She went on to teach piano to hundreds of students for 40 years and served as the organist for the Jordan River temple for 14 years. Rachel also composed music and enjoyed playing the viola. She graduated from Jordan High School in 1949 and studied for a short time at the University of Utah. She loved learning, and as a young mother taught herself to sew. Throughout her life, she taught herself several college level subjects including music theory, astronomy, physics, calculus, and trigonometry. Rachel also pursued art, taking lessons for many years and creating many beautiful oil paintings. She was proud to serve on the Draper City Arts Council and cherished the friendships she formed there. Rachel had a passion for service and held numerous church callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was deeply devoted to her faith, and always strove to live the Gospel. Rachel was a wonderful example to her family and all that knew her.

Rachel married Joe Patience on September 22,1950, in the Salt Lake LDS temple. Together they raised six children: Debbie (Jim) Fairbourn, Steve (Pam) Patience, Kathy (Lyle) Nielsen, Tyler (Cherilyn) Patience, Jolene (John) Priddy, Rachelle (Jody) Watts. She is also survived by her sister, Evelyn; brothers, Henry and Steven; 17 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harmon and Phoebe Day; her husband, Joe; son, Vince; and brothers and sisters, James, Douglas, Norma, Ramona, Delores, and Jack.

Her family would like to thank all the caregivers for their tender care and help during this difficult time.

Rachel was a beautiful person and will be deeply missed. She leaves behind many wonderful memories that her family and friends will always cherish. We will especially miss her sense of humor, her funny jokes, and how she always made us laugh. Rachel devoted her life to her family and her church. Her loved ones take comfort in knowing that she is back in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father and know that we will all be together again someday.

Viewing and funeral services will be held at Larkin Mortuary, 1950 East Dimple Dell Rd. Sandy, Utah 84092. The viewing will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 pm and Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 9:30-10:45 am., prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will be held Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 11:00 am.