Evelyn Mae Haslam Day

Evelyn Mae Haslam Day passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at her home in Cottonwood Heights.  She survived COVID, but could not survive the declining weakness from the sickness and her aging body.  She was the wife of James Day and the daughter of John Howarth Haslam and Mary Elizabeth Reed.  Evelyn was born in Salt Lake City at her parents’ home on Highland Drive on February 20, 1923.  Evelyn lived most of her life on Highland Drive, both as a young girl and then later in a home her husband and father built where they raised their 8 children.  After the passing of her husband James, Evelyn moved to Cottonwood Creek retirement center and later to Coventry retirement center.

She attended Holladay Elementary, Irving Jr. High School (now known as Olympus Jr. High) and graduated from Granite High School in 1941.  She attended LDS business College for a short time then worked in the office of Sego Milk Company for 4 years.

She served an honorable mission in Northern California from June 1946 to March 1948 where she and James met as missionaries in the same district.  After their missions they married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 13, 1948.

Evelyn and James served as temple workers in the Jordan River Temple from 1992 to 1998.  Evelyn was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings such as the Sunday School, Primary, Relief Society and Scouting.

Evelyn and James often opened their home to many weary travelers.  Their home was always open to friends and family they knew from across the globe. They welcomed Japanese exchange students, and friends they made in England where she and James served later in their lives as missionaries in the Manchester mission from 1986 to 1987.  They also participated in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Indian placement program providing a home and education for a young man, Sam Canyon, from the Navajo tribe.  Evelyn and James provided a home and shelter for two Chinese refugees, Jiahong An and Qian shun Zheng.  James and Evelyn generously provided a temporary home for several of their children, grandchildren, and other family friends at various times of need.

If time only permitted, Evelyn would have spent more time developing her interest in gardening.  Her love of flowers was a desire she wished she would have had more time to devote.  Her yard was graced with iris, peonies, tulips, and roses.  Her rhizomes and bulbs were generously shared with her children, grandchildren, and friends as far away as California, Ohio, and even Japan.

Although cooking was not Evelyn’s passion, she was often taking meals to those in need and giving service to families within her reach.

Evelyn is survived by her 8 children—James H (Kathryn), Steven (Kimberly), Nancy Sharp (Roger), David (Tomoko), Ronald (Mava), Marianne Larsen (James), Howard, and Daniel (Junko).  Evelyn was the grandmother to 27 and great grandmother of 34.

Through Evelyn’s aging years, she always had a keen mind and was able to remain independent with a cheerful countenance.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah.  Viewing at 10:00 AM and Memorial Service at 11:00 AM.   Interment – Salt Lake City Cemetery.

The family expresses gratitude to the many individuals who have been her friend throughout her life and to the many professionals who compassionately provided her with tender care during her final years on earth.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.