Farewell, Sister Olene Walker

Olene Walker, wife, mother, grandmother, friend to kings, presidents, rulers, magistrates, the downtrodden and children, and a longtime member of the B7 Ward passed quietly into eternity on Saturday, November 28, 2015 in Salt Lake City with her family by her side.  

Known to most of us as “the oldest Primary president in the church,” Sister Walker also made history when she was sworn in as the 15^th – and first woman - Governor of the state of Utah in 2003 just shortly before her 73^rd birthday.  After her time in the state house, she and Myron served in New York City as Public Affairs Missionaries, unofficially assigned to the United Nations “where we built relationships and strengthened the image of the church among world leaders.  If issues came up – such as visas being denied, concerns relating to the sale of property for construction of church buildings, or allowing missionaries into countries, we knew people we could call and talk to about the problem.”  Although their specific assignment was diplomacy, when it became known she was a former Utah governor, she was often invited to speak in various venues.

In Sister Walker’s political background she was eight years in the state legislature, including a term as Majority Whip; and, ten years as Lieutenant Governor.  During her career, she founded and directed the Salt Lake Education Foundation.  She also served as Director of the Utah Division of Community Development; chaired the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, the Utah State Housing Coordinating Committee, the Governor’s Commission on Child Care; chaired the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors; and served as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State – the first Lieutenant Governor ever to serve as president of that organization. Her leadership as chair of the Utah Healthcare Reform Task Force led to the establishment of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for affordable health care for children.  She also chaired the Workforce Task Force resulting in the development of the Department of Workforce Services and was known throughout the state as a strong advocate for literacy and education.

She earned her bachelors degree from Brigham Young University, a masters degree from Stanford University and at the age of fifty-one, Olene completed her Ph.D. at the University of Utah, while also serving as a state legislator. Two of her children, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law graduated the same day.

Olene Smith, the 2nd of five Smith children, was born in November 1930 in Ogden.  She married Myron Walker and together they have seven children and twenty-five grandchildren.

Among her Bloomington neighbors, Linda Sappington recalls running into her shopping one evening at a local grocery store.  “Olene, where is your security detail,” her neighbor asked.  “Why do I need security?  I’m always safe in St. George,” she responded with her characteristic good-natured smile.  “Besides, no one recognizes me here.”

Linda Lowe shared, “Olene was much loved and respected. I first met her when she was Lt. Governor.  She often filled in for Governor Leavitt at our Shakespeare events.  She was such a strong voice for arts, education and especially for programs that increased the well-being of women and children. She was a great lady in my book!”

Late in life, Olene Walker was called by Bishop John Goldhardt to serve as the B7 Ward's Primary president, despite her own concerns about her age and her inability to sing. States Shar Simkins who served as one of her counselors, "She was an amazing woman! She loved serving the children and had genuine affection for every one of them; and, she always made those of us who worked in the Primary feel special, too.  She would feed us something incredible on her fine china and silver at our Primary meetings reminding us things are to be used ... not put on display in a china cabinet.   When the children would get irreverent she would point at her watch and challenge them, ‘let's see if we can beat the world record for children being quiet and still.’  To my surprise it always worked and the children would immediately quiet down.  She was very classy, very intelligent, very giving, and I am a better person to have known her!!”

Whether we knew her as a neighbor or a dignitary in the State of Utah and the world, no one can deny she was indeed a classy lady who made the world a better place.  Governor Walker or Sister Walker, you will be missed!