Emma Lou Thayne (1924–2024) was a beloved writer, educator, and advocate whose remarkable life spanned a century. A graduate of the University of Utah, she earned a B.A. in English in 1945 (Phi Beta Kappa) and an M.A. in Creative Writing in 1970. Her thesis, Spaces in the Sage, became the first of 14 published books, including her widely acclaimed The Place of Knowing: A Spiritual Autobiography, reflecting on her near-death experience (published in 2010). Known for her eloquence and faith, she authored the much-recorded and translated LDS hymn, Where Can I Turn for Peace?

Emma Lou taught junior high school from 1947 to 1949 and served as a part-time instructor in the Department of English at the University of Utah from 1946 to 1986. She also coached the U of U Women’s Tennis Team from 1964 to 1967 and continued teaching in later years through the U of U’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Active in public service, she served on numerous boards, including the Utah Humanities Council, Utah Arts Council, and Young Women’s General Board of the LDS Church. She was the first woman to serve on the boards of Mountain Bell and Deseret News. Her contributions to education, literature, and civic engagement were recognized with honorary doctorates from the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College, among many other awards.

A highly ranked senior tennis player, she achieved national recognition in both singles and doubles competitions. Despite enduring 29 surgeries and becoming "bionic" with a new knee, she continued to embrace an active lifestyle, playing tennis and celebrating life with her husband, Melvin E. Thayne, their three daughters, 18 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Emma Lou was deeply committed to fostering peace, creativity, and community, serving on initiatives such as Women Concerned About Nuclear War and Utahns United Against the Nuclear Arms Race. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, love, and an unwavering belief in the power of stories to connect and inspire.