Special Tributes

The Church News invited four women whose husbands have served as General Authority colleagues of President Thomas S. Monson to share thoughts about Sister Frances J. Monson. 

Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, wife of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency:

My husband and I have many special memories of President and Sister Monson’s visits to Germany over the years. One time we accompanied them on a very rainy day in Dresden to visit the burial place of a missionary. In spite of the terrible weather, she had a radiance of goodness about her. I was always impressed with the way Sister Monson complimented her husband and supported him in every way. However, I also noticed that she was a wonderful person in her own right. I have enjoyed listening to her as she shared her opinions and experiences. We will miss her friendship, her beautiful smile, and her kind spirit.

Sister Donna S. Packer, wife of President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve:

Sister Monson was an ideal example of a devoted wife and mother. She understood the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of her husband’s calling. She stood ready to assist him in any way. She was quiet and unassuming but ever ready to participate in meetings and do what was required. She loved associating with the wives of the General Authorities, especially the international sisters. On one occasion, we traveled with the Monsons to South America for a temple dedication. We spent a number of hours delayed in the airport and arrived almost late for the dedication, but Sister Monson was patient through all the stress of travel. We send our deepest condolences to the Monson family.

The wives of the members of the First Presidency, Sister Frances J. Monson (left), Sister Kathleen J. Eyring (middle), and Sister Harriet R. Uchtdorf (right), attend an event. Photo by Craig Dimond, © IRI.

Sister Barbara B. Ballard, wife of Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve:

On several occasions, Russ and I have been with President and Sister Monson in Toronto. It was always a pleasure to see how the Canadian Saints loved Frances and how she was always so pleased to be with them and to speak to them. Ever a lovely and gracious woman, Frances seemed particularly relaxed and at home among the Canadian Saints.

Sister Patricia T. Holland, wife of Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve:

Sister Monson was a gentle, caring friend. She reached out to encourage me with occasional phone calls from the time my husband was serving as president of BYU until the occasion of his call to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve. I was honored to be her companion while our husbands took a little time off to go fishing. She was so unassuming with me and quite open about how she managed to care for her husband by protecting his energies with talent, intelligence, and efficiency. Though others may describe her as reserved, I saw her as a strong, self-disciplined, independent woman of wisdom and faith. I believe she knew in the first years of her marriage that her husband was divinely destined to serve in the Church, and she deliberately chose to hold back a little so that her husband’s light could shine much more broadly and without borders. I admired her deeply for her choice to be beautifully modest and selfless. I know of no woman who had greater faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and His ability to bless, heal, and teach every child of God. It stands to reason that it was because of these strengths and beliefs that she was chosen to be the wife of a prophet who will always be remembered for his arms outstretched to everyone.

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 (Article in Deseret News by Gerry Avant)

“Search far and wide, high and low, but it’s doubtful you’ll find anyone less willing to talk about herself than Frances J. Monson.”

That lead sentence on an article I wrote for the May 2, 1998, issue of the Church News came into my mind when I heard that Sister Monson, wife of President Thomas S. Monson, had passed away early Friday morning, May 17. Not knowing of any working journalist today who has known Sister Monson longer than I have, I knew I would be asked to write something about her. 

I met Sister Monson nearly 40 years ago. Over the years, I saw her in many parts of the world as she accompanied President Monson on his Church assignments. We visited together in airports between commercial airline flights, often sat at the same table in restaurants, and frequently passed each other in the comings and goings of Church events.

I did my first one-on-one interview with her in 1975 as I wrote a series of articles about the wives of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve. 

She was warm and friendly, kind and considerate—but she was hard to interview. Quite simply, she didn’t want to talk about herself. She remained that way throughout the years of our association. She was a very private woman.

She was also kind, gentle, and compassionate. 

Latter-day Saints throughout the world know about President Monson’s many compassionate acts of service.

They’ve heard or read about his visits to hospital bedsides, care centers, and private homes. What they might not realize is that Sister Monson was by his side during many of those visits and, on occasion, pointed out to him people they should go see.

In 1998 she and President Monson received the Continuum of Caring Humanitarian Award from Friends of St. Joseph’s Villa, a care center in Salt Lake City. I think she was a bit uncomfortable about being put in the limelight, but she graciously agreed to deliver a speech at the award ceremony. She was a giver who never wanted credit.

“I perhaps would have been content to perform my service in life by raising our children, participating in the Relief Society, and helping others as my time and energy permitted,” she said upon accepting the award. “But because of the Church callings my husband has had throughout our married life, I have, with him, witnessed more pain, more suffering, more need among God’s children than otherwise would have been the case. If I have been able in some small way to help alleviate such suffering, such need, I am most grateful.”

She quoted a famous psychiatrist who gave a lecture on mental health and answered questions from the audience.

“Someone asked, ‘What would you advise a person to do if that person felt a nervous breakdown coming on?’” 

Sister Monson said, “Most people would have expected him to reply, ‘Consult a psychiatrist.’ To their astonishment, he replied, ‘Lock up your house, go across the railway tracks, find someone in need, and do something to help that person.’”

That is how Sister Monson lived her life. She found people in need and helped them. 

She liked this poem by Emily Dickinson:

If I can stop one heart from breaking, 

I shall not live in vain.

If I can cease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Sister Monson did not live in vain.

“When the Savior was here upon the earth, He taught, He blessed, He served,” she said upon being honored by Friends of St. Joseph’s Villa. “Now that He no longer walks among us as a mortal man, it is left to us to do His work, to minister to the needs of others. He has no hands but ours.”

Sister Frances Johnson Monson extended her hands readily and willingly. 

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This is a beautiful short video that includes the graveyard...here

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