Mary Barrowes

Mary Hill Ashdown Barrowes
November 20, 1921 ~ March 14, 2015
Mary Hill Ashdown Barrowes, 93, passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Fayette, Utah, to George Allen and Bertha Jackson Hill and was the youngest of their 12 children. Her life was filled with love, compassion, and self-less service.
She graduated valedictorian from Beaver High School and attended Brigham Young University prior to marrying Ellis Ashdown on October 5, 1942. Their marriage was solemnized in the St. George Temple on June 25, 1943. They made their first home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1949 they moved to Orem, Utah where she lived for over 20 years. They are the parents of seven children. Ellis died September 3, 1967.
Following his death she completed her college education, graduating at age 50 from Brigham Young University. On June 3, 1972 she married Thayer Clark Barrowes and moved to his home in Salt Lake City, Utah where she lived for over forty years. Mary loved Thayer’s eight children and she became very dear to them. She is affectionately known as “Grandma” by grandchildren from both families.
Her heart and home were always open. Several nieces and nephews lived with the family in Orem, including Ken Taylor and Kate Wilkins. In Salt Lake City she had Native American foster children, Japanese foreign exchange students, and welcomed many others into her home through the years.
Mary was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in many callings, including visiting teacher, stake Relief Society president, and gospel doctrine teacher. She also loved temple service. Mary was active in the Wandamere Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, eleven siblings, her first husband Ellis Ashdown, her second husband Thayer C. Barrowes, and sons Orlando and Steven Barrowes.
She is survived by her children, Ilene (Calvin) Alleman, Bob (Francine) Ashdown, Nola (Jerry) Finch, Shirley (Neil) Hathaway, Joyce McStotts (Tom Halliday), Ken (Anne) Ashdown, Kay Lee Ashdown, Loana (Frank) Anderson, Dee Ann Barrowes, Hope Barrowes, Maevonne (Ron) Whitaker, Kendall (Judy) Barrowes, Lowell (Norma) Barrowes, Reeba Barrows (Zack Castleton), Eldon (Terese) Barrowes, 78 grandchildren, 216 great-grandchildren, and 5 great great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m. in Millcreek 8th Ward Chapel, 4558 South 600 East Murray, Utah. Viewing for friends and family will be Wednesday, March 18, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Murray Memorial Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East and at Millcreek 8th Ward Thursday morning from 9:00-9:45 a.m.
Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery.