Obituary: Mary Darnell Stephenson

Mary Darnell Stephenson

1929 ~ 2007

Our beloved sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, Mary Evelyn Darnell Stephenson, 78, of Salt Lake City passed away peacefully December 25, 2007.She was born February 4, 1929 in Montrose, Missouri to Max Darnell and Myrtle Carter Darnell. She married Charles W. Stephenson October 23, 1949 in Louisburg, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her husband on July 18, 1994; and her son Carroll in 1953.

She is survived by her brothers, Ellis (Nelda), Pleasant Hope, Mo.; and Jerome (Phyllis) Darnell, Lafayette, Co.; her children, Charles D., Salt Lake City; Christopher (Laura), Phoenix; Evelyn (Anthony) Thomasson, Salt Lake City; Martin (Monica), Salt Lake City; and Philip (Amy), North Salt Lake; eight grandchildren Christopher, Angela, Amanda, Charlie, Shealynn, Marcus, Apollo, and Athena; and three great-grandchildren Kyra, Cody, and Maximus.

Mary grew up on her family's small farm in Missouri. As a young adult, she worked as a telephone switchboard operator in Idaho. After marriage to Charles, they ran a farm in Idaho. In 1959, they moved to Utah. She then worked out of her home as a seamstress making beautiful wedding dresses and was considered very talented. Active in the Catholic Church, she taught catechism for many years at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Salt Lake City. In 1966, Mary and Charles founded Trophies, Inc. in Salt Lake City where she worked up until the time of her passing. Over the years, they developed many friendships with patrons of Trophies, Inc.

Mary enjoyed reading, camping, fishing, gardening and antique collecting. She was an avid reader of books and newspapers and through her example taught her family the value of reading. She founded and operated Jeremy Street Antiques and especially loved collecting glasswork from the Depression Era. She developed many fond and lasting relationships with local antique dealers.

Mary was the cherished matriarch of her family, a grand lady all 105 lbs. of her. If you asked her for her opinion she would give it, no holds barred. To say she was one in a million would not be just, she was one of a kind. We love you mom and we will miss you more than words could ever say.

A service will be held on Saturday Jan. 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Garner Funeral Home, 1001 11th Ave., Salt Lake City. Her family will be receiving friends prior to the service from 10:00-11:00. A reception will be held from 1:00-2:30 at St. Olaf's McNamara Center 276 E. 1700 S., Bountiful. A mass will be held Jan. 12 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church 1058 W. 400 S., Salt Lake City. Online condolences at www.UtahTribute.com