Annette Brock Stringham

On August 30, 2024, just before sunrise, Annette B. Stringham passed through the veil to reunite with her sweetheart, Richard. This was the moment her heart had longed for. Annette was born on October 30, 1933 to Charles Jacob Brock and Carmen Parkinson in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the third oldest of six children, four sisters and one brother. Annette graduated from Logan High School in 1951 where she participated as a home room officer and a member of the Pep Club. She had great aspirations to receive a college education and pursued her goal by attending Utah State University. She worked tirelessly to pay her own way, often working more than one job. As a freshman, she was sworn into the ROTC Sponsor Corp as a second lieutenant, striving to get involved and make a difference wherever she could. This was just the beginning of her desire to lead and serve her community. In 1953, she was initiated into the Sigma Kappa Sorority where she was honored as the Orchid Queen from 1953-1954. The title of “queen” or “princess” followed her until her passing thanks to her beloved and respectful children. In 1955, Annette completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Art and embarked on a new adventure - choosing to move to Salt Lake City where she lived in the Beehive House on South Temple. In an attempt to gain greater confidence, Annette attended modeling school and discovered her interest and love for skincare and makeup. She vowed that when the timing was right, she would pursue this newfound passion in the years to come and did just that.

On a beautiful spring day in June of 1956, while Annette was crossing the street in Salt Lake City, her “prince charming”, Richard, spotted her in the corner of his eye and proclaimed to his associate, “That is the girl I am going to marry!” With great confidence and conviction, he followed her to her place of employment and requested her number. Three years later, on June 5, 1959, she married her sweetheart, Richard B. Stringham in the Salt Lake Temple, officiated by Ezra Taft Benson. Their sweet and endearing relationship was something we all aspired to. It was through this singular and significant example where we learned what it meant to truly love without conditions. Together, they created beautiful life - focused on their four children, serving their community and church and teaching and living the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Annette was the “June Cleaver” of mothers – always dressed to nines, hair and makeup to perfection and rarely, if ever, seen without her lipstick. As daughters, we were often told to never allow anyone to see us without the most important and essential makeup item – lipstick, as if it were a cardinal sin. Much to her dismay, we did not adopt this practice, but she never failed to remind us.

Annette was a gifted, but modest artist, often setting her own talents and ambitions aside to serve her family. Instead, she used her creativity to design and sew our Halloween costumes, dresses, quilts, and crochet beautiful afghans for every child and grandchild. She was an avid nutritionist, always keenly aware of what she ate and in return, critiquing what we ate - offering sound advice for a healthy life. She was a wonderful homemaker and had an endearing ability to nurture and care for others which seemed to come to her so naturally.

 Annette served in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among her most cherished experiences, were the opportunities to volunteer as a hostess at Temple Square and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, which she served faithfully and consistently for over 30 years. Through these experiences, she connected with people of all faiths, making lasting friendships wherever she went. She loved to share her love of the Savior and her testimony of His gospel. 

In 1979, Annette finally pursued her passion for skincare and makeup and became an Image Consultant for Fashion Academy, located in Costa Mesa, California with her sister, Pat. She had the unique opportunity to receive training from five Hollywood and French makeup artists to perfect and expand her technique. In her words, she wanted to, “help women with their personal image, to gain the confidence we all deserve, not only in the workplace, but wherever we find ourselves.” She qualified herself to teach color, skincare, makeup, bodyline, personality of appearance and wardrobe planning which she felt were, “the drawing cards to a better image.” To complete her business plan, she began to research skincare ingredients, learning all she could in search of the perfect skincare line. As she did, she discovered Viviane Woodard Skincare and Cosmetics and soon became their lead sales representative receiving many awards and accolades. Annette operated a successful business out of her home for over 40 years making it her mission to help women discover the beauty they already obtained by “extenuating the positive.” Annette was sought after for her expertise and asked to teach classes, provide lectures and demonstrations across the Wasatch Front. Through the Davis County School System, utilizing her training, Annette created a program for 5 th and 6 th graders titled, “Everything Nice”, where she taught etiquette, wardrobe planning and simple skincare. Later, discovering a need for teens, she created a program which would include color, beginning makeup, manners, etiquette, poise, personality and grooming. These valuable opportunities gave her great joy and satisfaction and sustained her desire to serve others for years to come.

Annette’s final years were spent at Creekside Assisted Living in Bountiful where she reconnected with old friends and made many new friends. As was typical of Annette, she often worried about their health by providing vitamins, oils and advice to remedy their aliments. And true to her background and character, she was also concerned about their skin, makeup and the colors they wore. Even in her final days and weeks, you would find her plucking hairs from her chin and others and selling her most valued skincare products as a gesture of love and concern. It was important to always look your best and without fail, she always did. 

Annette is survived by her children, Julie (Tracy) Crowell, Rick (Jenni) Stringham, Jill (Crisy) Stringham, Robyn (Pascal) Meyer, sister Barbara (Lee) McKenzie, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Richard B. Stringham, parents, Charles and Carmen, and siblings – Joann, Janice, Richard and Patricia.

Graveside services for Annette will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 12:00 Noon at the Bountiful City Cemetery, located at 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing for family and friends of Annette will be held on Thursday morning at the Russon Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM prior to the services. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

Please join us as we celebrate Annette by wearing some form of pink to her funeral services.

In lieu of flowers – please carry on our parent’s legacy of love by having a forgiving heart and loving and serving your fellowmen. “To love is a beautiful winged art by which we may ascend to the realms of divine light.” – R.B.S. (Love’s Divine Artistry)