Maureen Nenow

Our beautiful wife, mother, yia-yia, sister, aunt, and friend passed away on April 30, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah, from complications due to heart surgery. She was 72 years old.

Maureen was born on September 20, 1952, to Raymond Lloyd Foulger and Joyce Catherine Condylis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

She grew up in Addis with her sister Cynthia, later telling several stories of the time she had there. It was an incredible experience. She talked about the local wildlife and how many animals they would see on a regular basis. She remembered how pretty it was there. Maureen and Cynthia spent summers in Greece and Egypt with their aunts and uncles and traveled to many different countries experiencing different cultures and learning many languages.

As a small child, Maureen performed ballet in front of the emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie and a large crowd of people. The special event was in the emperor’s courtyard. She attended the American Community School from grade school through high school. Maureen or “Reenie” as she was known there, enjoyed being on the cheerleading team and was even nominated prom queen of her senior class. Maureen made many lifelong friends during her time at ACS, still gathering for reunions with many of them.

When Maureen was eighteen, she traveled to the United States arriving in Utah to attend college. It was at Weber State University where she met Alexa, her college roommate and dearest friend. She would later receive a French degree, but her true love was Cosmetology.
Maureen received her license to practice Cosmetology from the Salt Lake Community College. Because of her work ethic, intelligence, her talent as a hairdresser, and her inviting personality, her success was fast, building a clientele and many lifelong friends along the way. She began in a salon in Trolley Square, later becoming co-owner of Hair Handlers and then the sole owner of her salon, Productions, in Sugarhouse, Utah. Maureen would go on to do hair privately, totaling a successful 50-year career. She was incredibly creative and did amazing work.

In 1977, as Maureen became successful in her career, she and Michael welcomed their daughter, Candace. While they remained close and raised Candace together, they eventually divorced. It was during her time at Productions that she met the love of her life, John Nenow.
Maureen took a little winning over, but John did it and once they were official there was no looking back. John and Maureen were married on May 23, 1985. They had their son, Christopher, together in 1986. After 40 years of marriage their love was still one to be envied and one that everyone knew would last beyond this lifetime.

Maureen loved spending time with her family. She loved trips to South Padre Island, Texas and traveling to Greece to visit. She loved traveling with John to Italy. She craved time on the beach and being in the sunshine. She was an incredibly, amazing cook and her annual party to bring in the new year brought everyone together through food and friendship. Her spread was always beautiful, and the food was beyond compare. The same can be said for every holiday dinner that she cooked her family. They always gathered at the home she and John made for meals and games. Most everything was homemade by Maureen.
She was so proud of her children and their accomplishments. Maureen was a phenomenal mom. The strength and love she showed her children certainly carried into relationships with their family and friends. Maureen was the kind of mom that was always there. At events, during milestones, for advice, through rough patches, she was always there for Candace and Christopher. They never doubted how much she loved them and still does.

In 2020 the family welcomed a new addition, and Maureen became a yia-yia. Tristen, her grandson, was the light of her life. In her words, “he made the family complete”, and we are so glad Tristen got to experience her as his yia-yia. He will feel her love forever.
Maureen had an incredible knack for making everyone feel important. She loved and was loved by everyone. She was so very important to those she left behind. She is loved beyond infinity!

Maureen leaves behind her soulmate and husband, John David Nenow; her children Candace Brea Saunders and Christopher Aaron Nenow; her grandson Tristen David Saunders; her sister Cynthia Carrington; brothers-in-law Alan Carrington and Greg Nenow; sister-in-law Minta Nenow; her nieces Kelsie Carrington (Richard Brown), Megan (John) Thiel, and Jennifer (Dallas) Nyflot; all of her cousins near and far; and her much-loved dog Odin.
She is also survived by her many, many dear friends that have become family over the years.

Maureen is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Michael Saunders; her beloved dog Layla, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held on May 23, 2025, from 6pm-8pm (MST), at Starks Funeral Parlor (3651 S 900 E, Millcreek, UT 84106).

The family would like to thank Eric, Breann, Cameron, and the rest of the nurses in the ICU at the University of Utah hospital. Their love and care for Maureen will not be forgotten. We would also like to thank her medical team Dr. Vamsee Yganti and Dr. Pawan Sharma.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter.