Mary Frances Rotter

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from [their] point of view…until you climb inside of [their] skin and walk around in it.” — Atticus Finch – To Kill a Mockingbird

Mary Frances Rotter, 88, a sassy and brilliant queen measuring barely 5 feet tall, passed away on August 1, 2026. Mary was born March 20, 1938 in Lancaster County, Nebraska. A devout Catholic, Mary spent her earliest years during the Depression and World War II on a small midwestern farm where she learned to love the outdoors and all the creatures in it, except chickens.  She loathed getting their poop stuck between her toes “every single time” she walked barefoot outside. Her parents were George Ernest and Gertrude (Burke) Rotter. Her father was the head of curriculum for the State of Nebraska. Her Mom was a chemist, also with the State of Nebraska. Mary was a Daddy’s girl, and cherished fishing and doing anything outdoors with her Dad.  But her hero was her Mom. Until Mary’s last days, she called upon her Mom, even in prayer, whenever she needed advice. She attended Cathedral Catholic High School in Lincoln and graduated in 1956. She was a devout Catholic throughout her life. She also studied music, learning piano and violin at the music conservatory in Estes, Colorado. She also was an avid reader.

Mary married Darvin Matthew Jemming in 1956 and had seven children. She was a stay-at-home Mom, a piano instructor, a waitress, and even assisted a local dentist. Mary was known by all as an empathetic and open-minded friend wherever she lived; moving from Lincoln, to Illinois, to Iowa and then to Utah, where she has resided since 1979. Mary took great pride in her friends, and often would say “my greatest quality is my ability to make friends.”  

In 1982, Mary divorced, enrolled in the Salt Lake Technical Institute, and upon completion of her associate’s degree, she received a full merit scholarship at the University of Utah, where she graduated in 1989 Magna cum Laude with her Degree in Psychology, a minor in English and obtained her teaching certificate. Mary taught language arts at Brockbank Jr High School in Magna, Utah for sixteen years, where she was revered for exposing students to novels such as “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and “Call of the Wild.”  Mary was a proud “West-Sider” and lived in her West Valley home for 47 years. To this day, her students frequently reach out to her about the inspiration she was.

In 1992, Mary became a friend of Bill W. where she met Jim McMillan and remarried in 1998. They travelled up and down the western United States with their Ford pickup truck and fifth-wheel trailer. They loved to “snowbird” in Quartzite, Arizona during the winter months and enjoyed Maple Grove and other great places in Utah during the summertime. She lived with Paula Kanmore, Mary’s son James’ widow. Special thanks to Paula Kanmore and to Maria Sanchez for helping Mary remain independent throughout her final days and winning her and her entire family’s heart. 

Surviving family members include her brother Tom Rotter, children Kathy (Steve) Jemming Corkery, Teresa (George) Jemming Hartman, Jodie (Todd) Jemming Palmer and Jonathan (Emilie) Jemming, 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sons Darvin Jemming, Jr. and James (Paula) Jemming and her daughter, Jennifer (Tim) Jemming Vranizan.

Rosary Service will be held Friday, September 18th at 5 p.m. at Starks Mortuary with Father Robin on 3651 S. 900 E. in Millcreek City, Utah. Mass of Resurrection will be Saturday, September 19th at 10:30 am, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Taylorsville, Utah officiated by Father Robin. A luncheon and celebration of life will follow the service at the parish hall.