Mary was born to parents Arnison and Amelia Wilson Hoskisson in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the eighth of nine children and was born in the living room of their home on Michigan Ave. Many of the Hoskisson children were born at home, as was the custom of that time.
She had a very happy childhood surrounded by her many siblings, her Grandmother Wilson and countless friends of hers as well as her brother's and sister's friends. She attended South High School and was very involved in school and a lot of activities.
She met the love of her life after graduating even though they attended the same High School. She married Richard Leslie Justesen on December 2, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple. After the ceremony, Mom, Dad and the wedding party walked down to the train station to say goodbye to Dad as he left for World War II. He was to be stationed in the Olympia and Tacoma areas of Washington after he joined the Coast Guard. Mom joined him ten days later.
They were at home in each other's arms and they had a storybook romance that really lasted for all their sixty-four years together until Dad's death on February 8,2008. They were so devoted to one another and prided themselves in the fact that they never really ever quarreled.
Mom was severely stricken with polio during the epidemic of the 1940's and contracted the virus after her twenty-third birthday. She was in the hospital for a very long time and Dad never once missed bringing her dinner and spending time with her. The devotion was cemented and they were never apart. She took good care of him, cooking and baking and she kept the cleanest of homes while he did all the grocery shopping and the laundry. We had our whites turn pink a few times but he was so good to her and to anyone who needed him. A true caregiver.
They were so grateful to adopt a son after seventeen years of being childless. Richard Michael was born on January 2, 1960 and Rebecca Ann completed the family on July 14, 1964. They picked her up on Dad's birthday, July 20, 1964. This was a family of four with two very lucky children who were raised in love and acceptance, support and unconditional love. Sacrifices were regularly made for countless music lessons or sports. Our parents never missed an occasion to be part of our cheering section in all the things that mattered in our lives. Now they will be cheering us all on from the other side and I'm sure we will know that they still care and are always there.
Along came the grandchildren. Katie 27, Morgan 27, Allison 24, Ryan 24 and Amanda 21. Later Candice 26, Jordyn 25 and Emily 21 were included. The years spent while the grandchildren were growing up were very happy years when Grandpa and Grandma were involved. They were very close to Rebecca's children as she was a single parent for many years. Katie, the oldest granddaughter held a super special bond with both of them but became more of a daughter to Mary in her later years.
Katie was her caregiver and companion. They were best friends too and their love was evident to everyone that witnessed it. It was simply beautiful and she was happy to be such an important part of her life and the lives of her great grandchildren.
Trenton was her first great grandchild, then Airius, OmniLove and Rebecca's step-daughter Jordyn just had Bethany on Mom's birthday last October. Mary was so full of life and such a part of our lives, it is really hard to imagine doing anything without checking in with her to tell her about it and hearing what she thought about everything that mattered. . .
She was blessed to have some amazing caregivers through Home Health Care and Hospice. These incredible women were part of our family and so loved and appreciated. Her life was enriched beyond measure these last few years because of the care she received. We will be forever grateful for all the caring and sharing that took place.
Mary is survived by one brother, Ken (Virginia) Hoskisson currently residing in Logan, Utah. Her children, Mike Justesen and Rebecca (Mike) Thomas. 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, 7 brothers and sisters and her loving husband Richard Leslie Justesen.
Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, April 6, 2017 from 6-8 pm at the Stake Center, 6180 S. 850 E., Murray. The funeral service will be held Friday, April 7, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd., Sandy at 2 pm with a visitation prior from 12:30-1:30 pm. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
