Lila Jean Finch

Born March 1, 1942, Lila Jean Finch passed away November 6, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by a great deal of love and close family members, to be joyfully reunited with her husband, Ronald "E." Finch, son Devin Townsend Finch, great-granddaughter Autumn Janyce’ Maarse, and Parents Jesse T. Kemp and Sarah M. Keysor, as well as many other friends and family anxiously waiting for her return. Her time on Earth was marked by a lifetime of service, and she will be sorely missed.

Lila was born the second daughter in the Kemp family. She grew up on Dooley Court in Salt Lake City during a time when young ladies wore dresses seven days a week. Lila graduated from West High School and later served as a Stake Missionary. While serving, she attended a dance where she met the love of her life, Ronald "E." Finch, who happened to be from her rival East High! Being quite a dancer, he swept her off her feet. She fell in love with both Ron and his family, and they fell in love with her. After a 9-month courtship, Ron and Lila were married in the Logan Temple on May 17, 1963.

Together they built a home, adding Rondalie, Michael, Devin, Kelly, and Adam to their growing family, and welcoming into their lives Lavina Williams and Rena Yazzie through the Indian Placement program. Over the years, Lila continued to provide a temporary home for many other children from the program, cousins, and friends in need of a safe and stable place to stay.

Lila served as a Den Leader and Webelo's Leader for many years, helping with the Blue and Gold Banquets, Pinewood Derbies, Rain Gutter Regattas, and helping the boys earn their Arrow of Light along with many other Scout badges and achievements.

As a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Lila served as Camp Captain, Vice-Captain, First Vice Parliamentarian, and Company Parliamentarian, which she very much enjoyed.

She wrote poems, researched genealogy, and created many Family History books.

Early on, Lila worked at ZCMI downtown as a fountain girl and later in life as a lunch lady at Canyon View and Peruvian Elementary schools, earning a retirement check of her own from the Jordan School District.

With a great deal of tenderness, Lila was the caregiver for her father in his final years. Together they loved watching Jazz and Cub games. She was truly a survivor, having experienced a challenging childhood, the loss of loved ones who were far too young, heartache, and health issues. She bravely faced trials in life, including an apartment fire where they lost all their possessions and stood strong through it all.

Due to her incredible faith, Lila has stated that EVERY ONE of her prayers has been answered. She served as an achievement day leader and as a teacher in the primary, going as far as teaching the boys at their homes even if it meant giving a lesson in a driveway. She served as the ward librarian and attended the Temple regularly up to just a couple of weeks prior to her passing, holding a current Temple Recommend right to the end.

Although the family went on numerous vacations to Hawaii, Yellowstone National Park, Mt. Rushmore, Flintstones Bedrock City, Disneyland, Ponderosa Village where they filmed Bonanza, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Wax Museums, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Hole in the Rock, Big Rock Candy Mountain, and even an alligator farm, and many other adventures in the Northwest, Lila had never left the United States until just last August when she and Rondalie traveled to Scotland, where her ancestors were from.

It would be her last grand adventure.

Lila temporarily leaves behind her children Rondalie Finch, Michael Dion Finch (Katherine), Kelly Donald Finch (Lisa), and Adam Jeffery Finch; siblings Kay Fausett (Lewis), Louise Fausett (Bill), and Allyne Crossley (Lynn); as well as 16 cherished grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and beloved in-laws.

Viewings will be held Friday, November 13, 2026, at the LDS Church, 240 Greenwood Circle, Midvale, UT, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., followed by the Family Prayer.

The Funeral Service will begin at 10:00 a.m. November 14, 2026, at the same location. Join us to hear more personal stories, both humorous and inspiring, from the life of Lila Jean. Please wear a hat in celebration of the fun attitude she expressed while wearing one.

Zoom link for viewing the funeral: https://zoom.us/j/96624786781

Interment will be at approximately 11:30 a.m. at Memorial Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.