Mary Anna Garrett Rotz passed away on March 23, 2022 at the age of 96 after struggling with a series of health issues. She was born in Olympia, Washington to James Alvin and Iva Pearl Garrett. In 1928, at the age of 3, she and her family moved to West Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1944. Her first job was working as a telephone operator. During World War II, she worked as a keypunch operator for Lockheed and volunteered at the USO, where she loved to dance with the servicemen. Later, she worked as a clerk typist in the Engineering Department for the City of Los Angeles and as a service correspondent for State Farm Insurance. She was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker.
Mary Anna married her sweetheart, Stanley Adolph Rotz, on January 29, 1947, in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they had 5 children: Christopher Alan (Elaine), Michael Neil (Christa), Cynthia Anne Grover (Bryan), Rebecca Lynn Sibley (Bruce), and Deena Mari Goates (Michael). She is survived by her children, 21 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, with another on the way and two brothers David L. Garrett (Glonda) and Dennis M. Garrett (Valerie). She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers, a son-in-law, and two granddaughters.
Mary Anna was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout her life, including ward Relief Society president, and as ward chorister for many years in several different wards. She and her husband served two missions. Their first mission was to the Samoa Apia Mission where they worked in the mission office. The second was to serve in the Family History Department at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City, where they worked on the Ellis Island Immigration Project.
Mary Anna was a wonderful cook and was famous for her English toffee and peanut brittle. She loved sewing, traveling, playing card games, and doing family history work. Mary Anna loved her family and was a great example to her children of her love for the Savior and her faithfulness to His gospel.
Services will be held on Friday, April 8th, 11:00 a.m. at the Welby 6th Ward chapel, 8841 S. 4800 W., West Jordan, UT. Viewings will be held on Thursday, April 7th, from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. and Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the same location. She will be interred at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, UT. For those unable to attend, services will be streamed live at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81118758254
Chris:
Seeing your mother's obit in the Salt Lake papers today brought back a lot of old memories. It's been fifty years or so since we served as counselors together in the University Ward. I'm still in the Boston area although I moved my membership to the Belmont Ward while I was still Bishop of the University Ward back in the mid-1980s. There are still a small number of people here you and Elaine would remember. I wish you both comfort and happy memories as you honor your mother.
Tony Kimball
Belmont, MA
I love Sister Rotz. In our ward I was able to work with her often in music. She was such an example of service, and I will miss seeing her at church. Until we meet again....
We will miss beautiful Maryanna. She was such a wonderful example to all of us in every way. She was willing to serve and share her many talents. She always had a warm smile, a listening ear, and kind advice. Our son Michael served as the Rotz's home teacher (along with Bishop David Finch) throughout his teenage years, and he may have not made a difference in their life, but they certainly made a difference in his! Thank you Stan and Maryanna for all you have done for us and for our ward. We are glad you are together again.
Love,
David and Lorene Fullmer
Comfort to the Rotz family at this sad time.
Prayers for this wonderful family.
All of us at the Lehi 50th branch at Covington want to express our love and condolences to Mary Anna's family. Mary Anna was loved by so many and will be missed. As her branch president, I can attest to her faithfulness and love of the Gospel and her family. We send you all our love. Jeff