Mary Jane (Van Wyngaarden) Worthen

Our beautiful Mom, Grandma, Wife, and Sister passed after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family and dogs, Bella and Lucy.

Born of immigrant parents from the Netherlands, Mary and her family moved all around the state trying to establish themselves in this new country. Maintaining their Dutch heritage was always a priority with the family. Places like Glen Canyon, Crescent (now Draper), and finally Salt Lake where she graduated from South High in 1970

At the young age of 20, Mary met her future husband Gary. He asked her to dance and she accepted. This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship that lasted for 50 years. Ironically having first names that rhymed, they felt it was predetermined by fate that they were destined to meet. They had a strong sense of unity, deep connection, and strong commitment to one another, almost like two halves of a whole. They built a great life together adding a son, daughter and a few fluffy white dogs along the way. 

Decorating, remodeling, and landscaping were always on the agenda. Mary loved to entertain and make everything beautiful and festive. She had impeccable taste with decorating. Her creativity and imaginative mind could generate original ideas that were absolutely stunning. She trusted Gary to make the outside landscaping just as unique and beautiful as the inside. While moving several times in the Salt Lake Valley, they proved time and again that this partnership was a good combination. 

Mary was mostly a stay at home mom while her kids were growing up. As the kids got older and more independent, she took on a job at Dan’s Foods in the deli. It was only supposed to be a short term job for some extra Christmas money, but she ended up staying for over a decade because of the friendships she made with coworkers and customers. 

Mary was blessed with one grandchild, Emilee Mary Mays. As a grandma, with fewer distractions, she dedicated all her love and attention to her. Sleepovers, Shopping and Sandwiches at Kneaders left them with an incredible bond.  

Mary loved to be with her friends and family, especially her sisters. She  loved to travel with them, whether it was camping with the trailer at Bear lake, Wasatch State Park or heading south to see a Tuacahn play in St. George. Mary just wanted to have fun. Every fall, Mary’s dad started a family tradition to stay at the Homestead Resort in Midway. This special tradition to the Van Wyngaarden’s continues to this day, growing with multiple generations. Her ultimate bucket list travel destination was to go back home to Holland. She got her wish on her 65th birthday to go with Gary and her sister Barbara, feeling fancy while flying first class as the elegant person she really was.  

Mary is survived by her husband Gary, two children, Jason, and Brooke Worthen (Jeremy Franchow), her granddaughter Emilee Mays, sister Becky Finlayson and brother John Van Wyngaarden.

She will be welcomed in heaven by her loving parents Pieter and Nellie Van Wyngaarden, her favorite dog Abbey, and her best friend/accomplice/sister Barbara Ray Van Wyngaarden.  

Since Mary was always the party host, we thought we would have one more party with her in her honor. Come remember Mary in her Celebration of Life at Starks Funeral Parlor at 3651 South 900 East Salt Lake City, Utah (84106) on Friday December 20th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

“We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun” -John Lennon

We would like to thank Dr. Ignacio Garrido-Laguna and his wonderful team at the Huntsman Cancer institute. We also have so much gratitude for the compassionate care provided by Bristol Hospice. 

In lieu of flowers Mary asked for donations to be made to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/30815/donate/1