Elaine Boynton

Elaine Gertrude Faller Boynton, age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 29, 2024, in South Jordan, Utah.  She was born on May 20, 1939, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Richard Josef Faller and Ethel Elliott.  Elaine was married and sealed to Leo George Boynton on June 8, 1959, in the Logan, Utah Temple.  

Elaine grew up in the greater Montreal area including Verdun, Outremont, and Greenfield Park, in Quebec, Canada where ice skating and sledding helped the cold winters go by more quickly.  Summers were spent at parks, boating and swimming in lakes or traveling to the family summer home near Montgomery, Vermont.

She graduated from Chambly County High School in St. Lambert.  Being the oldest of 9 children, at age 17 she bravely forged south-west moving to Provo, Utah where she attended Brigham Young University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.  Elaine loved teaching.  She taught Third Grade at Ucon Elementary School, in Ucon, Idaho until the arrival of her first child, followed by many years of teaching private piano lessons from home in Sandy, Utah while raising five busy children.  

Elaine loves dancing, especially square dancing.  She and Leo were lifelong dancers late into their seventies being members of both the Happy Squares and Electric Squares.  Leo and Elaine traveled to many states to participate in conventions and competitions.   Often, family vacations were planned around conventions where they could leave their children at the campground or rental property so they could dance without them getting into too much trouble.

Elaine was an exceptional pianist and organist.  Challenged by her short frame and small hands, which could not span a full octave, (her left hand also having a significant disability) she learned to adjust her fingers in a way that all notes could be played or rearranged the music to make it playable in a way the listener would never know the challenge she faced. She used her immense talent to bless family gatherings, church meetings, roadshows, and accompanied her grandchildren in many performances.

Among her many church callings, Elaine also served two Full-Time missions with her eternal companion Leo.  The first in the South Carolina Columbia Mission from 1994 – 1996.  The second in the Calgary Alberta Mission from 2000 – 2001.    

Elaine loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Elaine would ask for schedules and spent countless hours and days driving with Leo to their children’s and grandchildren’s recitals, plays, performances, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, and football games.

Anyone who knew her would say she is a big personality in a very little package. At her tallest, she may have reached 4’10”, but growing up the oldest, she often took charge anywhere she could see she was needed. She was the regular director of most family events and many church gatherings. Her kind heart wanted everything to go well and her incredible attention to detail meant every allergy or special need for every child or grandchild was met. Every child and grandchild can still hear her saying, “Leo, go get the….”for whatever was needed next.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband, Leo George Boynton; her father, Richard Josef Faller; mother, Ethel Elliott Faller; and sister, Doreen Ruth Faller.

Elaine Gertrude Faller Boynton is survived by her siblings: Pearl (Faller) and Woody Belzer, Helene (Faller) and Jay Hunsaker, David and Lee Faller, Joy (Faller) and Marvin Cluff, Linda (Faller) and Rex Anderton (Deceased), William and Linda Faller, Susie (Faller) and Nick Basi and Elaine’s five children and spouses: Larry and Diane Boynton, Nadine and Rodger Nicolls, Jana and Robert Bailey, Glen and Stephanie Boynton, and Kent and Shelli Boynton.  In addition, Elaine has 23 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.  

A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and from 10:00 AM – 10:45 am on Friday, February 9, 2024 at the chapel located at 1970 East Viscounti Drive, Sandy, Utah. Funeral Services for Elaine Gertrude Faller Boynton will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 11:00 am at the same address: 1970 East Viscounti Drive, Sandy, Utah.  

Interment will be at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery located at 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah.