Grandma Mary Hoopes

My sweet Grandma Mary passed away tonight. She died peacefully, gracefully, and with dignity in her home surrounded by family. She always said "We live until we die" and that is just what she did.  A few of her sons and their families had traveled up to be with her and they shared a Family Home Evening together. When asked which song she wanted to sing she said "Count Your Many Blessings". She was grateful for everything she had. After having grown up during the depression and during many financial hardships in her life, she was an amazing example of the saying

 "Use it up, wear it out, Make it do--- or do without!"

Grandma and Baby Cael July 2004 backyard bar-b-q and birthday cake for her!

She worked hard her entire life. At the age of 19 she fed a work crew of 12-14 men a hot supper meal without refrigeration, microwaves, and also cooked on a wood burning stove. She didn't have the convenient machines while raising her large family, she called laundry day "The Devil's Workday"-- you can imagine all those clothes with 10 children and working on a ranch.

At Great Grandma-pa's house in Fairview June 2005. They loved sweet baby Cael.

My Grandparents have been a wonderful and special part of my life. They once lived "just down the road" when they had a ranch, barn, acres of land, pigs, chicken, milk cows, cattle, and horses for riding. They lived on that ranch for 41 years when they sold it and moved into their home in Fairview. They lived in that house for the rest of their lives. She wanted to stay there as long as she could and they both did.

Grandma won this Levi Blanket at the RELAY for LIFE. She tried to give it back or to someone else. We told her she won it fair and square and she should keep it.

Everyone showing love to Baby Connor. Grandpa Richard, Gr-Grandma Mary, and Uncle Laurel

OUR SURVIVORS- Walked around the entire track at the Jr. High at the beginning of the event. My Grandma is strong!

In the fall of 2003 my Grandmother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma- a cancer of red blood cells. She underwent treatment and the cancer went into remission for 10 years. Then in September my Aunt Celeste took Grandma into the doctor because she was feeling very tired. It was then discovered that the cancer had returned. He explained that Grandma would continue to become more tired because of the low levels of blood cells and in 2 weeks to 6 months she would sleep and not wake up. We knew our time with Grandma was short.

Visiting Star Valley August 2013 (last picture with Grandma)

This last summer we were able to visit and see Grandma before leaving for New York. She looked so pretty in her pink sweater and pretty accessories. As long as I can remember she has always been a fancy dresser, nice clothes, jewelry, pins, scarves and shoes. She didn't have much money for most of her life, as a young child they moved around a lot and was very poor. She was thrifty and loved to shop and get a good deal when there a little extra money to spend. She loved to get a good deal at the Dollar Store too. Ben loved when she would buy a treat for him to eat- the air-popped corn or orange-chewy peanuts were usually purchased for him and it was a treat he really enjoyed.

Before Grandpa passed away December 2006 we had a family gathering at Como Springs, UT. We got a group shot with the whole family- ALL 10 children and their parents. Grandpa was confused for the reunion, Grandma right by his side. He told a poem, said it was a true story-- we laughed and hugged Grandpa. These were the last pictures with him and the whole family.