Mary Jane Meade Parrish Obituary
1929 - 2014
Mary Jane Meade Parrish age 85 passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on November 11, 2014. It would make her happy to know that she died on Veteran’s Day as she was very patriotic.
Mary Jane was born in Denver Colorado to parents Walter Jay Meade and Fay Stevenson Meade. She was the oldest of 4 children. There she lived until she was 8 years old and then moved to Southern California. At the age of 17 she married Teddy Jethro Parrish and had three children. She later divorced in 1958 after 12 years of marriage and was left to raise three children alone. She spent many difficult years trying to support her little family without any support other than what she could earn in the home, and later as as a pre-school teacher. At the age of nineteen, her son Daniel suffered a traumatic brain injury requiring a lifetime of care. For the rest of her life she devoted much love and attention to taking care of him. She did this without complaint and found joy in all she did. She was a happy person with great faith and never worried about what tomorrow would bring, due to her faith in the Lord and his protecting care.
Mary Jane joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1953. She was thrilled to hear the gospel and embraced it with all her heart. She served in many callings and was faithful to it’s teachings her whole life. She loved family history and for many years worked on the genealogy of her ancestors. In 1977 Mary Jane moved to Provo Utah. She loved the idea that she lived in a state with “strong pioneer heritage” as she admired their spirit while suffering great hardship.
Mary Jane loved her family, and grandchildren. She found joy in their lives,watching them grow up and hearing about their accomplishments. She was a exceptionally giving person and sharing whatever she had made her the happiest. She was a person without guile, always gracious, and never judged others. She valued her friends and was always interested in their lives and concerned for their difficulties.
Mary Jane will be missed by her three children, Teddy Lou (James), Terry Jay (Terry Lee), and Daniel Eugene. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She also leaves behind her beloved brothers Jay Meade (June), Jack Meade and sister Judy Soper (Bill).
•Her funeral will be at the Sundberg-Opin Mortuary chapel on November 15 at 1:00 pm.
•The viewing will be held before the service at 11:45 to 12:45.
•The Internment and dedication of the grave will be at 2:15 at the Provo City Cemetery.
