Patricia Ann Elwood Sargent

Patricia Ann Elwood Sargent, 76, passed away in Salt Lake City on December 23, 2023, after having lived a full and rich life.  She lived every day according to the scripture, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 15:24) Patti was born on April 30, 1947, in Logan, Utah, the first child of R. Eugene and Frances Jean Christiansen Elwood and first grandchild of Elder ElRay L. Christiansen and Sister Lewella Christiansen.  She was very proud of her rich heritage.  She graduated from Logan High School and Utah State University (Tri-Delta Chapter President and Utah State College Queen) before receiving her M.Ed from the University of Utah.

Patti met Morris Sargent, an NBC Art Director at a Single Parent LDS Christmas Party.  This meeting led to their marriage in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct 5, 1977.  They spent 39 wonderful years together until Morris passed away in 2016.  Both Morris and Patti were life-long educators.  Patti was a noted and respected English Teacher for 37-years, mostly at Granger High School until a spinal cord injury forced her to retire.  While teaching at Granger High School, she was the advisor to the school’s literary magazine, “Accolade.” Under her direction it was awarded First Place by the American Scholastic Press Association, recognizing the top 1% of schools in the nation, four-years in a row.  Patti was also named to “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” four times.  As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah she enjoyed mentoring student teachers.

Patti was an active and dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and magnified her many callings, including Ward and Stake Primary President in the Mt. Olympus Stake.

Patti’s greatest joys, however, came from her family, particularly her daughter, Patricia (Tricia) Lynn Sargent who followed her parents into the education profession.  Patti was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Morris N. Sargent, her sister, Susan Kaye Bybee and her brother, Robert Eugene Elwood.  She is survived by her daughter, Tricia, her sisters, Mary Frances Toone (D. William), Woodinville, Wash; brother-in-law, Rod Bybee (Midvale); Joan Kathryn Dahl (Curtis); Sandy; sister-in-law Teresa Elwood (Bountiful), and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews who all adored and loved her.  Anyone who knows Patti will greatly miss her positive outlook, her uplifting encouragement and her elegantly handwritten notes filled with decorative sprinkles and stickers.  She was an elect-lady who continually brightened the lives of others even when she was facing many physical challenges.

A private gathering and prayer will be held prior to the funeral.  Patti’s funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 11am in the Fortuna Ward Chapel, 4407 South Fortuna Way (3695 East).  Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Please deliver all flowers to Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah 84121.