Ruth Wright Faust, widow of President James E. Faust recently of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away Sunday morning, February 10, 2008, in her apartment in Salt Lake City surrounded by members of her family. She was 86 and the cause of death was incident to age.
Sister Faust was born April 11, 1921 to Elmer and Elizabeth Hamilton Wright, and was the sixth child in a family of eight. The youngest of four daughters, she grew up on a farm in the Mill Creek area of Salt Lake City where she learned the value of hard work. Her work ethic and ability to love blessed countless others throughout her life.
Sister Faust graduated from Granite High School in Salt Lake and attended the University of Utah. While attending school, she worked as a secretary and modeled clothing for a local department store. In 1942 she worked for the State of Utah where she became reacquainted with James E. Faust, a former Granite High School classmate. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 21, 1943 and raised five children: James H. Faust; Janna (R. Coombs); Marcus G. Faust; Lisa (A. Smith); and Robert P. Faust. Sister Faust spent her life raising her children and supporting President Faust in his Church assignments.
A few days after their marriage, they moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where President Faust was assigned to attend military intelligence training by the Army Air Corps. The couple crossed the country ten times before President Faust was honorably discharged from the military.
“Sister Faust was one of the great women of our time,” said Bruce Olsen, managing director of the Church’s Public Affairs Department. “She was bright, well educated, wise, down to earth, warm and engaging. She exemplified Latter-day Saint women.”
Sister Faust served in many Church positions including ward and stake Relief Society president in addition to traveling the world with her husband in his callings. President and Sister Faust were among the first official Church representatives to visit the People’s Republic of China when they accompanied a performance and goodwill tour of the Brigham Young University Young Ambassadors in 1979. She traveled by his side, met dignitaries, loved and encouraged the Church members in whatever circumstances she found them.
The Fausts lived in Brazil where President Faust presided over the Church in all of South America. Sister Faust came to know and love Church members from many countries and cultures.
“The Fausts were one of the Church’s great love stories,” said Olsen. “President Faust won her away from many suitors. When they came into the same room, the world stopped and for a few moments; it was just the two of them, as they communicated through a glance or greetings. If you were in President Faust’s Office and she called, he not only always took the call, but also made it clear that she was his number one priority. The heavens are richer and the world poorer with the change of residence of Ruth Wright Faust.”