Bonnie D. Parkin, who held the role of General President for the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2002 to 2007, has passed away at the age of 84, according to KSL. Parkin was widely recognized for promoting the empowerment of women within the church and notably spearheaded the initiative for joint monthly openings of the Relief Society and Young Women organizations.
In a poignant reflection, Parkin once shared during the General Relief Society Meeting in 2006 that her heartfelt prayer was to understand the needs of the church's women, revealing, "I received a strong witness that we, His daughters, need to know that He loves us," as quoted by The Church News. She emphasized the importance of recognizing divine love as a source of perseverance and reassurance, especially amid challenges and setbacks.
A Utah native, Parkin was born in Murray and later settled in Herriman, her background detailed by KUTV. She pursued higher education at Utah State University, earning her degree in elementary education and early child development in 1962, and spent some of her career teaching at Hannah Holbrook Elementary in Bountiful, Utah together with her husband, James L. Parkin who passed away in 2023 they served as the mission leaders for the England London South Mission during 1997-2000.
Her passing marks the third loss of a former Relief Society General President this year, following Mary Ellen Smoot and Elaine L. Jack, who died earlier in 2025, as outlined by KUTV. For those wishing to pay their respects, a viewing is organized for Friday and Saturday at the Salt Lake Parleys Stake Center, and a funeral to follow on Saturday morning.
