Marian Barlow Denos

Our angel mother was taken to her heavenly home on April 7, 2023 to join her husband, her parents, and many other loved ones whom she dearly missed. Marian Barlow Denos was born on August 20, 1931 to Violet Jessop Barlow and Ianthius Winford Barlow in Salt Lake City, Utah. She grew up with a large and loving family that she remained close to all her life.

Marian learned to love music from her fiddle-playing father, and seeing her interest, her parents scrimped and saved to have her take piano lessons. Music was always a big part of her life. She sang in a trio with sisters Marie and Laura Jean and led the music at church for many years.
Marian did very well in school – graduating early from South High School in Salt Lake City at the age of 16. She met her sweetheart/future husband George W. Denos at a church dance. She fell in love with him partly because of his beautiful voice and his love for music. The following year they were married on March 11, 1950. She accompanied him on the piano many times over the years as he was asked to sing at funerals, weddings, and other events.

Although she wanted nothing more than to have a dozen children, she suffered through ten agonizing years of infertility. Finally, in 1960 she became a mother when Suzanne was born! Ten more children followed, becoming the joy and main focus of her life. She taught all of us to sing whether we liked it or not – and we’d better be on tune or else! She also went to other people’s homes to teach voice lessons and organized family choirs. She loved to be anywhere there was beautiful music – such as the symphony, opera, musicals, or ballet. All of her favorite TV programs and movies were musical as well. She loved it all, but had a special place in her heart for the hymns, to which she would never tire of listening.

Family gatherings were plentiful as grandchildren came along, and she created fun holiday traditions that we all looked forward to (like the “Hippopotamus March” before opening Christmas presents). She loved serving others and did so many times through her cooking and baking. She was famous for many favorite recipes such as cinnamon rolls, lemon crunch, homemade bread, and Russian rolls.

In the last decade and a half, Marian began to lose her eyesight, became legally blind within a few years, and lost her sweet husband shortly afterwards. Despite all of this, she continued to serve her family and others and live on her own for several more years. Even after she began to decline in health and memory, she retained her spunky, clever wit and her ability to sing, harmonize, and remember the lyrics of hymns and favorite songs.

We will dearly miss our sassy, classy mom who loved to dress up, wear lipstick, get her hair and nails done, and would quickly strike a pose when a camera was around.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Laura Barlow Denos, grandchildren Brandi Romero Harris, Justin Anthony Palou, and John Adrianus Denos, as well as Hyrum Cody Jensen who were all very dear to her. She is survived by all of her children: Suzanne (Randy) Gaeta, Keith (Cindy), Shelley (Clint) Bullock, Kevin (Clara), Sharon Vincent, Kenneth (Linda), Kris (Angela), Kory (Marnie), Stephanie (Bryan) Tso, Kyle (Monica, Sienna), and Sharlene (Adam Scott), 64 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

We extend special thanks to the caregivers at BeeHive Homes for their love and care for our mother in her final months of life.

A viewing will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 15th at 1:00 PM with a viewing from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM prior to services, interment to follow services all at Larkin Sunset Gardens. For those desiring to watch the services, please click the blue "Watch Services" tab above.