Emma Ray McKay

Emma Ray Riggs McKay (June 23, 1877 – November 14, 1970)[1] was a humanitarian, music patron, and the wife of David O. McKay, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1951 to 1970, with whom she traveled the world engaged in charitable and religious work.

Emma Ray McKay
Emma Ray McKay on June 23, 1961
Personal details
BornEmma Ray Riggs
(1877-06-23)June 23, 1877
Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States
DiedNovember 14, 1970(1970-11-14) (aged 93)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Resting placeSalt Lake City Cemetery
40.777°N 111.858°W / 40.777; -111.858 (Salt Lake City Cemetery)
Spouse(s)David O. McKay
Children7
ParentsObadiah Higbee Riggs
Emma Louisa Robbins

Education

Known as "Ray" throughout her life, McKay was born Emma Ray Riggs in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. She attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music to study piano performance. After returning to Utah, she was one of six students to be awarded degrees from the University of Utah in 1898 where she had attended the Department of Music. Both her parents, Emma Louise Robbins and Obadiah H. Riggs, taught at the University.[2]

Marriage and Family Life

While teaching at Madison Elementary School in Ogden, Utah, David O. McKay proposed marriage to her.[2] They were married on January 2, 1901 in Salt Lake City and had seven children together, one of whom died in infancy. As David O. McKay served as the mission president for European Great Britain, she was set apart as a mission president's wife from November 3, 1922 to December 20, 1924.[1] She traveled with and supported David O. McKay as he served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On November 14, 1970, Emma McKay died.[2]

The McKay Music Library at the University of Utah is named in her honor.[3]

Recognitions
  • Utah Mother of the Year Award
  • honorary doctorate in humanities from Utah Agricultural College
  • Distinguished Achievement Award from Ricks College
  • Outstanding Woman Award from Brigham Young University
  • Eternal Quest of Womanhood Award from Utah State University[2]
David O. McKay (Husband)
Gravestones of David O. and
Emma Ray McKay
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References
  1. "Emma Ray Riggs McKay". history.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
  2. "Emma Ray Riggs McKay - School of Music - The University of Utah". music.utah.edu. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  3. "About the Library - School of Music - The University of Utah". music.utah.edu. Retrieved 2017-12-07.

Further reading
  • Hartshorn, Leon R. Remarkable Stories from the Lives of Latter-Day Saint Women. Vol. 1, Spring Creek Book Co., 2006.
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