Elaine Mackay Holley

Elaine Mackay Holley passed quietly to the other side September 14, 2026. She was born on November 20, 1932 and sealed to her parents Annie Horne and Alonzo Mackay who raised her in Granger, Utah. Elaine met her sweetheart, Carl Holley, when he noticed the cute girl in the Sacra Dulce (Sacred Sweet Music Choir) and subsequently went through all the Mackay’s in the phone book trying to ask her on a date to see Spike Jones live at Lagoon. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple November 28, 1952 and are the parents of Chris (Larry) Rupp of Hyde Park, Utah; John Scott (deceased); Kim (David) Rees and Michael Kit Holley of Thayne, Wyoming.

Elaine was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved her Savior and His gospel as exemplified by her service as a ministering sister, Relief Society president, primary president, and early morning Seminary teacher. Her last calling was as the “birthday lady” in the Hyde Park, Cedar Ridge Ward, in which she never missed the opportunity to celebrate each sister’s special day with a card and cookies.

Mom was the consummate housekeeper. She was a gifted organizer, and could Tetris any packing job magnificently, in part due to having moved over twenty times in her adult life. She wrote in her journal daily, worked at Alta Elementary as an aide, and was a gifted nurse and caregiver to her children. She once kept Chris and Kim occupied for two weeks in the dark with no distractions while they were recovering from the measles, which feat alone qualified her for exaltation. Mom made tasty fudge and divinity, and even navy bean soup for Carl when the mood struck her. She loved Red Vines licorice, Doublemint gum, and as a certified chocoholic, Bluebird chocolates. She enjoyed playing her piano, singing, sewing or knitting, reading and watching fun movies.

Elaine and Carl are the proud grandparents of eight, great-grandparents of twenty-two, and great-great-grandparents of one. Trips to McDonalds with their littles were frequent, the candy basket at Nana’s house was well stocked, swimming at their apartment was always a hit, roller skating in the basement was allowed, boating at Pine View or Lake Powell was encouraged, and fishing under any condition was enjoyed as long as frozen Snickers bars were on the menu.

Grandma had a gift for bringing calm and peace wherever she went. She loved simple and clean, she would play with our hair, or tickle our arms, and we knew she loved us. She was quiet and patient and did her best work behind the scenes. She was happy to contribute to any project and didn’t seek recognition. She loved God and she loved her family. She took to heart 2 Nephi 31:20 “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”

The family wishes to acknowledge Mike for his many years of loving service as his parents’ caregiver and Kim and Dave for card games uncounted. Special thanks are also due Dr. Brian Carlson and the staff at Autumn Care for their kindness and compassionate care.

Funeral services under the direction of President Corey Ercanbrack of the Autumn Care Branch will be held Saturday, September 19 at the Hyde Park Center Street Chapel (65 East Center) with a visitation at 9:00 AM, funeral at 10:00 AM, followed by internment at 11:30 AM in the Hyde Park, Utah cemetery.