Georgia Kanell Evans

Gorgeous Georgia passed away in Salt Lake County, Utah, on January 28, 2026. We are deeply grateful that she is now free from pain and confusion and reunited with the love of her life Lynn.

Georgia was born on August 2, 1930, in Salt Lake City to George Pandaleo Kanell and Angelina Chipian Kanell. After her father’s passing when Georgia was just one year old, she was raised by her remarkable mother in downtown Salt Lake City as the youngest of seven children. From an early age, she learned the value of hard work and family, working alongside her siblings and Uncle Angelo (Evangelos) in the family grocery store, where she also handled the bookkeeping.

Music was woven into Georgia’s life from the beginning. She attended Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and loved singing in the church choir. She graduated from South High School and later received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, where a summer music class changed her life forever — it was there that she met Lynn Bird Evans. For many years after Lynn’s passing, she spoke of him as the love of her life and looked forward to the day they would be together again. Now, her waiting is over.

After converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Georgia and Lynn were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 26, 1955. They shared a sweet and tender relationship that will last through the eternities. Together, they created a warm and welcoming home where talents were nurtured, encouraged, and celebrated — a home filled with music and love.

Georgia and Lynn worked long and hard to provide every possible opportunity for their six daughters to develop their talents. Their home was often filled with friends and neighbors, gathered for living-room talent shows performed by the girls — evenings that always ended with mouthwatering food prepared and served by Mom. It is not possible to walk into a Greek home without being fed; feeding people was Mom’s love language.

Georgia occasionally worked as a substitute teacher and later as a purchasing agent. She was also a gifted saleswoman, selling World Book encyclopedias, family achievement programs, and eventually Magic Mill and Bosch products to help support the family. Whatever she did, she did with warmth, determination, and grace. Giving service to others was very important to her — she had a gift for truly seeing people. She called everyone “gorgeous” and made them feel known and valued. Georgia was a woman of deep faith, strength, and extraordinary love.

Georgia sang with Lynn in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 20 years, traveling the world together and sharing their love of music and faith. Later, they served together in the Salt Lake Temple and completed two missions — first in the Fort Lauderdale Mission, serving Haitians in Nassau, Bahamas, and later in the Belgium Brussels Mission, where they served in Thionville and Metz, France. Wherever they were, Mom continued her lifelong ministry of service and feeding others, welcoming young missionaries into their home with open arms, full hearts, and full plates.

Georgia is survived by her daughters Rochelle (Stephen) Enderton, Marylynn, Kristine, Julie (David) Fairbourn, and Angela, along with 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, all of whom were deeply loved. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Lynn, her daughter Cathy, her parents, and her six siblings. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the many caregivers who lovingly supported Georgia over the last year and a half.

A viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1765 East 3080 South, on Monday, February 2, from 5:30–7:30 PM. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Tuesday, February 3, at 11:00 AM, with a viewing beforehand from 9:30–10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

If you are unable to join us in person, please join us virtually for the funeral service on Tuesday, February 3, beginning at 11:00 AM ET. Click here Zoom Link to join the service.