Our Sweet and Noble Mother, Mae Eleanor Vincent, Age 90, passed peacefully from her mortal journey at her home on August 11, 2014, attended by her children.
Mae Eleanor was born in Salt Lake City on August 19, 1923 the daughter of Louis Auer Grossen and Mae Linnell Decker. A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mom was a direct descendant of 1847 pioneers Charles Franklin Decker and Sarah Louisa Norris. Mom was always very proud of her pioneer ancestry and like her great-grandmother, her life showed her \"to be of the sterling stuff of which pioneers are made.\"
Mom was the Valedictorian of her high school graduating class at South High School. Mom met a handsome, young, returned soldier on the dance floor of the "Coconut Grove" in downtown SLC at the end of WWII. No one else was permitted to dance with Mom after that first dance and she and Dad were married after a very romantic courtship. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple a short time later. Dad and Mom enjoyed 51 years of marriage together before his passing in 1997. They are the parents of 6 children.
Over the past 15 years, Mom has enjoyed traveling all over the world and collected fridge magnets wherever she went. She especially loved her trips to Church Historical Sites and Australia from 2004 ‚ 2007 where she integrated with missionary work and developed a great love for this "grand land."
Mom had a storied life of service to her family. She cared for our sister Mary for many years as she struggled with the effects of Type 1 Diabetes in the day when so little was known about the disease. She never gave up hope for a cure. She rendered tender care to Dad during his battle with the effects of this disease, while at the same time providing that same tender care to her mother who lived to her 100th year.
Mom was an accomplished homemaker, florist, gardener, canner, musician, seamstress, painter and wall-paper hanger. She used her talents to bless her family and many others. She prided herself on playing the clarinet in the U of U Marching Band, doing the flowers for President's of the LDS Church at their passing, and winning awards for her garden.
Mom's hard work was a great example to her children. When Dad became ill, Mom used her talents to help provide for her family.As a child of the "Great Depression," she often was heard saying "waste not, want not" and "if you want something, go out and earn it and it will mean more to you."
Mom was very educated in the English language and was a student of and taught Latin and Botany. Grammar and proper pronunciation were always a must when in her presence.Mom was also an avid Scrabble player and could beat anyone, even to her last days. Mom spent her later years doing family history, writing in her journal, and immersing herself in the scriptures.
With much love and deep gratitude, we say goodbye for a season to an elect lady who magnified her calling as wife and mother and fulfilled her stewardship so faithfully. "Goodnight you old night owl." You have earned a well-deserved rest.
Mae Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Roswell Irwin; their daughter, Mary Linnell; a granddaughter, Melissa Anne; and her sister, Lucille Marie Taylor.
She is survived by her children: Anita Mae (Roy) Sargent, Sandy, UT; Jeanne Marie (Jim) Bates, Riverton, UT; John Irwin (Emalina) Vincent, Sandy, UT; Joseph Bruce Vincent, SLC, UT; and David Decker (Ronda) Vincent, Bountiful, UT. 25 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Mom's 91st Birthday, Tuesday, August 19th at 11:00a.m., at the Monument Park 14th Ward Chapel located at 2255 South Wasatch Drive (2705 East) in SLC. A viewing will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary located at 2350 E. 1300 S., SLC on Monday, August 18th from 6-8p.m. Viewing will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Amo` Te` sweet Mother until we meet again! We know you had a joyous reunion with Dad and we hope you are enjoying that first dance again!
