Our beloved Evelyn Jessop Thompson, age 87, peacefully passed away June 19, 2024, at her home in
Saratoga Springs, Utah. A mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, she was a true
source of love, light, and wisdom. She will be greatly missed!
Born on March 21, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Evelyn was the second of thirteen children whose parents were
Beth Allred and Joseph Lyman Jessop. Her parents, two sisters, Eula and Shirley, and a brother, Harvey,
preceded her in death. Her surviving siblings are Faye, Aaron, Jeryl, Donna, Leon, Renae, Genevieve, Violet,
and David.

Evelyn married Joseph Blaine Thompson on August 24, 1953. They welcomed ten children: Joseph,
Marianne, Dennis, Kristine, Stan, Norman, Kent, Kaye, Nora and Terry. Two sons, Joseph and Norman, died
young. She enjoyed reading to her children, and always kept scriptures and a stack of books next to her bed
as well as next to her chair. She loved each of her children uniquely, with constant awareness and prayers
for their needs. Her husband Joe passed away in 1996.
Her living children blessed Evelyn with 52 grandchildren and 91 great-grandchildren. Including ten children,
her posterity totaled 153. She also cherished many extended relatives and friends who honored, loved, and
respected her. Through her unconditional love and genuine acceptance, scores of others adopted her as a
"Mom" or "Grandma." Evelyn sent hundreds of greeting cards each year in her endeavor to acknowledge the
importance of every individual. Likewise, she valued every gift and note she received. She was a safe place,
and her home a peaceful haven and refuge. All knew they were loved, wanted, and welcomed.
If Evelyn could have chosen her preferred vocation, it would have been to be a philanthropist. She was
interested in quietly finding out people's needs—physically, spiritually, or financially—and then helping
them. As it was, she worked sometimes as a secretary. Later, she became self-employed doing house
cleaning in private residences for the practicality of flexible hours and a higher hourly rate. Most of her
clients grew to love her. Evelyn enjoyed serving and teaching in leadership or other positions to which she
was called. For several years, she volunteered time at the Lehi Literacy Center helping children learn to read.
Endowed with a deep love of learning, Evelyn continually read, studied, and attended classes of various
sorts as often as possible. With her lifelong goal of first seeking the acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, her
primary focus was to humbly and prayerfully love and serve others. As she fostered her relationship with
God, she poured her energies into spiritual channels that comforted and enlightened her and further
enabled her ability to serve in meaningful ways. Wherever she could, she always gave of her means to
people in need. Just as important, she offered comfort and understanding without fanfare, especially in the
loss of dear ones, particularly young children. She understood the magnitude of "just being there" for
others. Sometimes a hurting soul received private solace and relief from her understanding words during a
warm embrace or a personal visit or written in a letter.
"My Angel Wife Evelyn" are words engraved on a small heart-shaped music box that she treasured, the last
gift from her husband before he died. Her children and loved ones agree that Evelyn was indeed an angel in
the flesh whose very presence imparted calming peace. Evelyn was so well loved because she loved so well.
A viewing will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m., and the funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25,
2024, at the LDS Crossroads Stake Center in Saratoga Springs, Utah. For those unable to attend in person,
the funeral can be viewed by joining on this zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98839854956. No password is
required. Evelyn will be laid to rest after the funeral in Holladay Memorial Park in Holladay, Utah, near her
two sons, Joseph and Norman, and next to her husband. The family is grateful for the excellent services of
Wing Mortuary.