She loved meeting people in global travels with her husband, recalled friend Sheri L. Dew, president of Deseret Book who wrote a biography on President Hinckley. She believed in people and always saw the best in every situation.

"I always left her presence feeling better about myself," Dew said. "Marjorie Hinckley was faith, hope and charity personified. . . . (She had) the pure love of Christ in her."

Sister Hinckley is remembered by her children as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother of five children, 25 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren, whom she often nudged along with love, patience and a generous dose of humor.

"I think if our mother were standing here, she'd say, 'What is all the fuss about?'" Richard Hinckley told a chuckling audience filled with dignitaries including Utah Gov. Olene Walker; Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who oversaw Salt Lake City's 2002 Winter Games; and Episcopal Bishop of Utah Carolyn Tanner Irish.

Sister Hinckley often wrote notes to her grandchildren, thanking them for a visit or offering words of encouragement and a little bit of money: "You may need it for a bottle of glue to keep yourself together, or your smile glued on."

She loved missionaries. She packed chocolates for them and proclaimed how theirs is the work that separates the men from the boys.

She liked to read — in fact, a young Marjorie Pay was giving a reading in Primary when President Hinckley said he first saw her.

She enjoyed researching her ancestors and retelling their stories of faith.

Sister Hinckley will be greatly missed, noted speakers, who at times offered sympathy to President Hinckley, praying he would have the strength to continue his work.

"We need your (expertise) and guidance. We need you to continue to lead us," said President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency. "We love you. We sustain you. We pray for you. We ask the Lord to give you and your family peace and comfort."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com