Mary Idon Openshaw

Mary Idon Openshaw

1939 – 2022

On November 13th, 2022, like almost every Sunday, family was gathered in love, laughter, and unity. This day the family said goodbye to Mary Idon Openshaw as she passed away after a valiant and courageous battle against cancer, unwilling to admit defeat. Idon loved her family more than anything in this world.

Idon was born on July 10th, 1939, in Flagstaff, Arizona, to Frank and Mary Randall. She was the second of three children. She loved her family very much and despite the distances that separated them, she always ensured that her siblings and their families stayed connected.

Family was always entertained with her growing up stories. She pulled pranks, rode toboggans on Flagstaffs greatest, and had many adventures down by the creek in Pine.

Education was important to Idon. She was a life-long learner as well as teacher and mentor. After graduating high school, she went on to study elementary education at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Brigham Young University (BYU).

She met her best friend and future husband, Martin, at NAU. They worked together as presidents of their respective sorority/fraternity and became best friends.

Not long after getting married, they moved to Ames, Iowa. While Marty worked on his Master and PhD degrees, Idon honed her skills working at the university proofreading and correcting graduate students’ theses and dissertations. She pioneered remote work when her first child was born, and she typed from home so that she could care for her family and also work. Their friends in graduate school were a huge support to them when they lost their second child, Martin Randall, at two weeks of age. He was buried in Mesa, Arizona, up until a month ago when at Idon’s wish and request, he was exhumed and brought to Highland, Utah, to be buried beside his mother. Their third child was born right before they moved to Tucson, Arizona.

In Tucson, they made wonderful friends and were much closer to family. Idon helped to care for her own grandmother until she passed away at age 90. Two more children were born in Tucson. Idon and Marty wanted at least 10 children, but to their dismay, they were unable to have any more children.

In 1976, they headed to Madison, Wisconsin, where they traded in their shorts and sandals for ice skates, down coats, and cross-country skis. Friendships were forged and a philosophy formed. Idon taught that you should make the best of wherever you live; get to know your neighbors; surround yourself with good people; jump in with both feet and plant roots; explore and know your surroundings; find ways to enjoy where you are; and find the good wherever you are! Idon taught her children how to garden as she became a master gardener, growing crops that fed many people. In the process, she taught them to love and appreciate the value of work.

Seven years later, it was time to move once again. This time the family had to look up the location on a map: Lima, Peru – South America. The family embraced mom’s love of new cultures, learning a new language, loving the people of Peru, and finding new adventures along the way. Idon loved everything about Peru, and especially the people. She made many friends and embraced her new surroundings. Marty and Idon were called to be mission presidents for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved their missionary children. Now they had a couple hundred more that they could call their children!

As the environment became more volatile, they were transferred to a different country and mission in Cabanatuan, Philippines.

Following their mission, Idon began working at WordPerfect/Novell. Several years later, she was asked to work for a dear friend at BYU’s Marriott School. She took on many different roles and positions while at the Marriott School, including executive assistant to the dean and event planner. She loved working with the people in the Marriott School, The National Advisory Council, as well as other departments and vendors. Embracing her philosophy once again, she went all-in. Her grandkids thought that she ran the Marriott School and loved to visit her because it usually meant BYU truffles and lots of hugs. She enjoyed every moment of her 23 years in the Marriott School. It was very hard for her to retire and say goodbye to the friends she made.

Retirement meant spending more time with Marty and her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. That is where her true passion lies. Family. If there is anything we could wish for, it would be time. Fortunately, Idon made the best of the time she had on this earth. She made each and every one of her family feel as though they were her favorite. She welcomed everyone into her home and treated them like family. We hope that everyone felt of her love, knowing that you were her favorite too.

Idon leaves behind a strong faith in Jesus Christ, a legacy of faith and compassion, and lives she has touched across the globe to carry on her example.

Mary Idon Openshaw is survived by her husband, Martin Openshaw; her 4 children, Cynthi (Jeff) Chesler, Lisa (Don) Baker, Michelle (Brent) Francis, Scott (Dawnese) Openshaw; her 15 grandchildren, Michael (Shelly) Chesler, Nicole (Spencer) Vance, Matthew (Alieta) Chesler, Maddi (Kade) Keck, Mckenzie Chesler, Dannielle Chesler, Samantha (Max) Rigtrup, Mitchell Baker, Cydne Baker, Justin Baker, Trieste Francis, Justin Francis, Randy Openshaw, Nathaniel Openshaw, Olivia Openshaw; her 10 great grandchildren; her brother Jim Randall and Sister Susan (Kendall) Adamson and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her son, Martin Randall Openshaw; her sister-in-law Nancy Randall; and her parents, Mary and Frank Randall.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of the caregivers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute including doctors, nurses, infusion team members, and many others who assisted in Idon’s care. We are thankful for the hospice nurses, aids and doctor that helped to make Idon comfortable at home. We are also grateful for her doctors and specialists who have dedicated time and care for Idon over the years. Our family and Idon witnessed many tender mercies and miracles as a result of the prayers and faith of so many family members, friends, co-workers, ward members, and others. We appreciate your faith, love and kindness on her behalf. Most importantly we are grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ, who created the Plan of Happiness which provides a way for Idon and each one of us to experience life here on Earth and then return to live with them again.

Please join us as we celebrate Idon’s life:

Public viewings will be held at the Day Meadows Building, 6100 West Chapel Drive, Highland, Utah

Monday, November 21, from 6:00-8:00 pm

Tuesday, November 22, from 9:30-10:30 am

Funeral Services will be held at the Day Meadows Building, 6100 West Chapel Drive, Highland, Utah

Tuesday, November 22, 11:00 am

Funeral Services will also available simultaneously via Zoom.

Meeting ID: 9808123047, Passcode: 84003

Graveside service will follow at the Highland City Cemetery, 6200 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy, to consider donating to the Single Parent Scholarship fund in Idon’s name for BYU Marriott School’s National Advisory Council’s.

https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/donations/byu/marriott-school/national-advisory-council.

If you wish to send flowers, please have them delivered to the Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah 84003.