Aino Maria Jarvinen

Aino Maria Jarvinen passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by angels who were waiting to carry her back home on the morning of January 18, 2023. This sassy ”29-year-old” lived a full life and brought much happiness to everyone she met throughout her nearly 91 years with us. Aino was born in Riihimäki, Finland on March 12, 1932, to Katri M. and Sulo E. Koskinen.

She married the love of her life, Pekka Jarvinen December 9, 1951, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They had two sons, Raul K. Jarvinen (Nannette) and Mauri A. Jarvinen (Sherrie). They lived in Finland until joining the LDS church and then immigrated to the United States in 1964. They were supported by the Mecham family of American Fork as they acclimated and adapted into American Culture, later becoming full US citizens. Pekka and Aino shared 63 years together before his passing in 2014.

Aino worked as an accomplished seamstress for the LDS church until retiring. Aino loved making dresses for all her granddaughters and dozens of quilts throughout her life. She was passionate about ceramics and owned her own kiln to immortalize her creations, most notably her toilet-shaped cookie jar. These treasures will be honored and cherished for generations to come. Aino crocheted beautifully and made countless leper bandages that were donated to humanitarian efforts around the world. There wasn’t a surface in her home that wasn’t improved somehow by one of her colorful creations.

Aino enjoyed cooking and gardening. She used many of the vegetables and fruits from her own garden to cook with and ensured that nothing ever went to waste. Later in life, she enjoyed watching the quail from her balcony that she dubbed her “babies” as they grew and thrived from her tender ministering. She also loved hummingbirds and had mastered the perfect sugar concoction which brought them to her balcony in droves.

She served with her husband in the Jordan River Temple for many years making lifelong friends. Known to all in her final years as “Mummu” (grandmother in Finnish). It didn’t matter if you were young, older than her, a neighbor, or just a friend of your great grandkids, she was simply Mummu to everyone.

She is survived by her oldest son Raul (Nannette), six grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Pekka, and son Mauri.

Graveside services will be held Friday January 20, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Salt Lake City cemetery where her final resting place will be next to her husband.