SALT LAKE CITY

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, 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 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.”

“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.”