Mary Ann Ludlow January 29, 1934 - December 6, 2024

On a cold winter afternoon, our handsome father took the hands of his beautiful wife, and led her to heaven. Our beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Mary Ann Ludlow, 90, left this earth on December 6, 2024, surrounded by her children.

Mom was the oldest child of Robert Walden and Edith Pearl (Shuler) Larsen. She was born January 29, 1934, during the Great Depression. Nine years later, she was joined by her sister, Kathy, and six years after that by her brother, Craig. Mom lived her childhood in a beautiful home on a large corner lot in Spanish Fork. She made lifelong friends with many who lived in the neighborhood.

She was a 1952 graduate of Spanish Fork High School where she was a member of the Pep Club. During her senior year, Dad followed advice from a friend and asked Mom on a date to see the Ice Follies. The following December, Dad gave Mom an engagement ring for Christmas, and they were married on March 23, 1953.

Their first home together was a small apartment in town. In March 1955, along came their first child, and a few months later, they moved to their home in Benjamin where they raised seven children. We all remember growing up in a loving home that was always clean and tidy. If we didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning, she would come and sing to us; and if we didn’t want to come inside in the evening while we were playing, she’d come to the door and threaten us with the ‘board of education’ which was never used to my memory.

Before her marriage, Mom worked as a waitress, and then at a sewing factory. Even with her large family, Mom worked a few jobs while we were growing up; but she excelled as a wife, mother and homemaker. Mom was an excellent cook and made delicious rolls and pies. Our pantry was always full of fruit and vegetables that Mom had canned, and some of us were known to eat a whole jar of her dill pickles in one evening. We always had home-cooked meals that we ate together as a family.

Mom had many dear friends; the majority preceded her in death. Several of her high school friends formed a club, and we all remember the cleaning and cooking that ensued whenever it was Mom’s turn as hostess. The tables were set with Mom’s china and silverware, and we were banished from the front room where these special dinners were held.

Mom had many talents. She was a wonderful seamstress that sewed us new dresses for Easter and Christmas, as well as clothes for school. With five daughters, that was a lot of sewing! We were also blessed to wear beautiful dresses to every dance during high school that she had sewn for us. She also loved to paint, and painted beautiful paintings that hung in her home, and now hang in ours.

Mom loved to go shopping with her “darling daughters”, and soon daughter-in-laws were added, and sometimes granddaughters. We would go school shopping in Park City and make trips to St. George or to California with Aunt Kathy in tow. We loved to visit our aunts and many cousins that lived there. Our brothers always lived nearby Mom in Benjamin, and we know they both had a special bond with Mom.

In 1979, we nearly lost her when her appendix burst. By the time she had surgery, she was full of infection and had a lengthy hospital stay before she was able to return home. During this same time, she lost her 66 year-old mother to a heart attack.

Losing Dad six years ago was so very hard for her. She has missed him every single day, and so have we. We’re comforted that they are together again.

Mom was stoic, and didn’t like anyone to see her cry. She was also stubborn, and thrifty, and rarely spent money on herself.

She loved Hallmark movies, Hummingbirds, chocolate, caramel, soup, and the color red, but most of all her family.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had many callings through the years, her favorite being working in the library.

The past two years, Mom has lived at Orchard View Assisted Living in Payson. Mom grew to love many of the caregivers there, and we can’t thank them enough for their tender care of our mother.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and by her parents, in-laws, and many dear aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Mom is survived by five daughters and two sons, Cary Hanks, Susan (Bruce) Lovejoy, twins- Denise (Kyle) Bufton and Deann (Phillips) Harrison, Brenda (Ron) Johnson, Jim (Tracy), and John (Torie). She is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; her sister, Kathy (Clifford) Johnson, her brother, Robert Craig (Frances) Larsen; her brother-in-laws Ronald (Colleen) Ludlow and Bruce Thompson; and sister-in-law, Shirley Bradford.

There will be a viewing from 9:45 to 10:45 am on Thursday, December 12th at the Benjamin 2nd Ward LDS Church located at 3238 West 7300 South in Benjamin, Utah, followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at the Benjamin Cemetery located at 9000 S. 3200 W., Benjamin, Utah.