Mary Louise Jones Tangaro

Missy Mary finally made her grand exit at 98 years old. She was born in Copperfield, Bingham Canyon to James and Mary McDonald Jones. She was the only sister to Jim, Joe, Jack, George and Bill. Bingham was a bustling mining town with miners from many parts of the world. She seemed to be prim and proper, but if she called you friend you were lucky to hear some of her outrageous jokes deriving from her Bingham roots. She married John “Johnny” Tangaro, who was an engineer for Kennecott for 40 years. His large, spirited family was an integral part of her life. They had two treasured sons, Sonny (Kathy) and David (Sharon). Some of their basketball skills were perfected while shooting hoops in the garbage can at the liquor store, while Mary worked the front. As the copper mine grew they were displaced and moved to Midvale, but she always cherished her beloved Bingham Canyon. Mary worked for the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office for over 30 years, and had many dear friends. Since she was married to an Italian, every Sunday the family went to Mary’s for a five course meal with pasta “roni’s” as the family favorite. Thus her grandchildren, Jeremy, Joel (Amy), Cara (Joe), Rick, Natalie (Dylan), Christen (James) named her Gramma-Roni. She was a voracious reader who valued learning, and although she was unable to pursue higher education because of the Depression,she encouraged her children and grandchildren to do so. She grew old with resolve and verve without a complaint. She had three TV’s going so she didn’t miss any sports. Go Utah Jazz! She knew every statistic and loved to converse with her sons about the last night’s game. In her 90’s she inherited a new family at Alta Ridge Assisted Living. She entertained the troops for years as she strolled the hallways with her walker for miles each day, whistling, and telling stories. We were honored to see in Mary’s last hours her impact as the staff and owners said goodbye and told of their humorous times with Gramma-roni.We would also like to thank Millcreek Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care. Her Legacy of hard work, love, quick wit, tolerance, and high moral standards lives on through her family and great grandchildren Ariyana, Talisa, Stella, Liam, Fiona and Sullivan and great great grandchildren Alayna and Penelope. She was “Auntie” to many, and loved them all. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday November 19, 2015 at 4 P.M. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 E. Creek Rd, Cottonwood Heights. A visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to Mass. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM at Stark’s Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Complimentary valet parking will be provided on the north side of the building. A private burial will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens. Please consider donating to a charity of your choice in honor of Mary.