Avis “Marie” Depew September 18, 1937 - April 2, 2023

Surrounded by her family, Avis Marie Depew passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, April 2, 2023. Marie was born September 18, 1937, in Logan, Utah, to Ray William Anderson and Lois Ora Sweat Anderson. The family moved to St. George where they lived until she was in the second grade. At that time, her family moved to Payson, Utah, where she finished grade school at Taylor Elementary, and eventually graduated from Payson High School. She then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University.

As Marie spoke in Stake Conference one day in 1961, a young man in attendance jokingly said to his brother that he was going to marry her. A romance that ensued afterwards brought that to fruition, and on June 22, 1962, she married Monte R. Depew in the Salt Lake Utah Temple. Together they had eight children: Debra, Darryl, Janelle, Kathleen, Russell, Ryan, and two sons who died at birth, Michael and Douglas. Monte and Marie’s home and family was also blessed with their four Navajo children, David, Joetta, Colleen, and Lisa. They welcomed others into their home from various walks of life and lived so that everyone felt loved and welcomed. Marie was an intentional wife and mother who devoted everything she had to raising her children in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was an immaculate keeper of her home and family. She found great joy as she supported them in all endeavors, always cheering them on, and especially making sure they did their piano practice! Her balanced meals consistently brought her family together, where they prayed, read scripture, and talked. She used her many talents in a variety of ways, including home based projects for supplemental income, like industrial sewing for Snow White Laundry. After Ryan was born, family challenges forced Monte and Marie to face the need to increase income, and they agreed that Marie would renew her teaching degree. She began teaching school at Barnett Elementary in Payson. Dropping Ryan off at babysitters was an extremely painful new experience for her. After becoming a teacher, she never stopped being an effective homemaker.

Monte and Marie loved being together, and everyone who knew them witnessed an enviable relationship. They spent precious time together attending the temple, dancing together at the Eldredge Center in Provo with their “Dancing Friends” group, and enjoying multiple outings and vacations with family and friends. In addition to her full life of being a wife, mother, teacher, and a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, Marie found time to enjoy quilting, sewing, gardening, canning, reading, scrapbooking, and collecting rocks. She has been known to “pocket” rocks big and small wherever she goes. She was a continual learner, loved reading to her children, never missed a chance to snap a picture of nature, especially sunsets, always vocalized the beauty around her, and never missed an opportunity to teach her family. Marie was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave dedicated and faithful service to her callings in her wards and stakes. Monte and Marie also enjoyed their service as missionaries together in the Florida Tampa and Nauvoo missions.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Monte, and her children, Debra (Jerry) Hale, Darryl (Jessica) Depew, Janelle (Daniel) Bond, Kathleen Lange, Russell (DeDe) Depew, Ryan Depew, David (Rosie) Hoycott, Joetta (Max) Goldtooth, Colleen Yellowhair, Lisa (Chris) Orton, as well as 28 grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Karma (Lynn) Woffinden. Marie is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Norma Turner, and her two infant sons, Michael and Douglas.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 1080 South 930 West, Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation Friday, April 7, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.