Mary Holmstead Dean
Mary Holmstead Dean was born in American Fork, Utah on April 12, 1925. She passed away November 26, 2011 after living in American Fork for all of her 86 years. She was the daughter of Earl "Hap" Holmstead and Florence Leona Hofheins, and was the fifth of six children. On June 12, 1944 she married her "knight in shining armor" Owen W. Dean. The marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple October 14, 1955.
Mary was an exceptional mother and the ultimate homemaker. The sweet smells of homemade bread and cookies were forever present in her home. Together she and Owen raised 10 children: Marianne (Ken) Dubois; Craig (Lori) Dean; Cheryl (Milt) Rasmussen; Shauna (Cliff) Craig; Earlyn (Mark) Kawahara; Steven (Shelly) Dean; Eric (Mary Alice) Dean; David (Molly) Dean; Lisa (Mike) Robinson; and Michael (Nicole) Dean. Her special gift was making each of them feel like they were her favorite.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Owen, her parents, her siblings June Nichols, Jean Wofford, Virginia May, Bill Holmstead, and Kaye Gygi, and three grandchildren Mindy Dean, Rebecca Glover Uluave, and Jason Dean. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and also by her favorite sister-in-law Janice Mayne, whom Mary considers to be her sister.
Mary was a kind and caring person, a good neighbor, and a great friend. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, listening to good music, and reading. She loved watching ball games or a good movie. Mary always had a good book in her hand and a cold Coke in the fridge for all of her frequent visitors. Being a grandma was her favorite job. She loved to hold new babies and had plenty of opportunities to do so having many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will miss our sweet mom and her beautiful spirit.
A viewing will be held Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Anderson & Sons Mortuary,49 East 100 North, American Fork. The funeral service will be held Monday, December 5th at 11:00 am with a viewing from 9:30-10:45 am at the American Fork 3rd Ward Chapel, 165 North 350 West. Interment will be in the American Fork City Cemetery.
Mary's children would like to extend a special thank you to all of the many family members who provided loving, tender care to Mom and Dad in the later years of their lives, as well as a special thank you to all the caring and dedicated staff at Sunbrook Hospice, The Charleston, BelAire, and The Ashford assisted living facilities for providing loving and personal service to Mary in her last few years.
I really learned to love and appreciate Mary and her talents while I was at A.F. High. She is a spiritual giant, had endless enthusiasm and was always positive and happy.
Mary left a great legacy and had so much pride in her family. My condolences to your family at this time. May her inspiration and dedication continue to be your beacon and shining light as you go forth.
David,
I'm sorry for your loss. No words can take away the pain. Your mom raised a good son, so she must have been very special. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I just wanted to send a big thank you to all of you for allowing me to part of Mary's life for the last four years. What a privilege it has been to see the love expressed to a special lady by her sweet family. It was so wonderful to spend time with each one of you when you were spending your one-on-one time with your mom and grandma. She told me many times and with many of her children that each one of you was her "Favorite"! I am sure she told you the same more than once. In fact, I am pretty sure she told me several times that I was her favorite. :) It was also a privilege to be with Mary at The Charleston, The BelAire and The Ashford and to witness the automatic love each of the staff felt for her. What a wonderful example of unconditional love she has expressed for each of her caregivers. She was always the first smile I would see when I walked into American Fork High School (back in the day) and the person we would all come to when we needed a "pass" back into our classes after arriving to school a little late. I will miss her! I will miss all of you! May the Lord bless your family at this time, to hold you close together and devoted to each other, is my prayer for each of you. With love, Leann
Words, however kind, cannot mend your heartache but those who care and share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
I love Mary so much, I am so grateful I had the oppurtunity to know her. She will be missed. Your fam is in my prayers. I love you all.
There are angels on this earth dressed to look like people....Mary Dean
was one of these angels. I will miss my partner in crime. I will cherish the wonderful
memories and fun times we had.
Love and prayers to the Dean family,
Love,
Connie Carlson
Jay
Jo Ann & Curt
Russ & Treva
Dear Shauna, Cliff & Family,
Im so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. I know how much you all loved her and how special she was to you. I will be keeping you in my thoughts in the days ahead.
Lay down your sweet and weary head...night is falling
You have come to journeys end.
Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before...
They are calling from across the distant shore.
Welcome home, sweet Mother.
Lay down your sweet and weary head...night is falling
You have come to journeys end.
Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before...
They are calling from across the distant sea.
Welcome home, sweet Mother.
My deepest condolences to all of your family, Mary will be missed. I’m truly grateful to be one of the many that had a chance to care for Mary Dean. I had such a love for Mary and grew fond of getting to know her family; I hope you all find comfort in this time of sadness.
To our beautiful Mother--
We love you more than words can explain, Mom, but Shauna's quote sums it up for the rest of us pretty well:
"I think we're all going to find out that the downside of having the world's most perfect mom for our entire lives is that the loss will be that much deeper. . ."
And to quote one of Eric's favorite songs/Into the West:
"Lay down your sweet and weary head...
Night is falling; you have come to journey's end.
Sleep now...and dream of the ones who came before...
They are calling from across the distant shore"
-Annie L/Lord of the Rings
And lastly, a perfect quote from our sweet, Aunt Janice:
"She won't have to learn to be a angel..."
I have been blessed with the most incredible Mother ever; I am eternally grateful for my parents, my sisters & brothers...my family & great friends! May God be with each one of us as we heal from this great loss on earth; and may He especially be with us all as we look forward and work towards our reunion with Mom in Heaven.
I have so many memories of my dear Aunt Mary - she one was the most kind women I have ever known. She always made me feel special - and made me want to be the person she believed me to be. She leaves behind a legacy of a wonderful family and big shoes to fill for all that follow. She will be missed. I am comforted in my knowledge that we can be reunited again as a family after this life. Love you all!