Marjorie Pay Hinckley Celebrates 90th Birthday

Marjorie Pay Hinckley, wife of President Gordon B. Hinckley, celebrated her 90th birthday on 23 November 2001. Sister Hinckley was born in Nephi, Utah, in 1911, a descendant of Latter-day Saint pioneers.

Sister Hinckley says that for her, happiness has been the key to living a long and healthy life: “I think if you’re happy you live longer.”

Growing up together in the same neighborhood, President and Sister Hinckley knew each other from their youth. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in April 1937. They have 5 children, 25 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Sister Hinckley celebrated her birthday at a family party and at a later reception with General Authorities and their wives.

Sister Hinckley has been recognized a number of times for her accomplishments, receiving an honorary doctor of humane letters from Utah Valley State College in April 2001, an honorary doctoral degree in Christian service from BYU in 2000, and the Service to Humanity Award from the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists in 1998.

Traveling with her husband, Sister Hinckley has visited every continent and conversed with such dignitaries as the queen of Thailand and the prime minister of England.

“I think if you’re happy you live longer,” said Sister Hinckley at 90, reflecting on her long life. (Photo by Tom Smart, Deseret News.)