After a life dedicated to serving her family, Mary R. Bowerman peacefully passed away early on Saturday morning January 6, 2024, at her home in Draper, Utah, surrounded by her family, at the age of 88. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary was a blessing to all those she knew throughout her life. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Mary was born on May 16, 1935, to Cecelia and Valentine Rivera in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was raised in Santa Fe and Clovis, New Mexico. As a young girl, during difficult post-depression times, Mary spent three years in a Catholic Orphanage where she learned from wonderful Irish nuns to love the scriptures and to love and rely on God. She graduated from Clovis High School as the Valedictorian. She was an officer in her academic honors club, Phi Delis.
Mary was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when she was 19 years old. She had great trust in God as she grew up, but she found that the missionaries who taught her had more answers in her quest for truth than she had questions. She spent the rest of her life joyfully teaching everyone she could about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
She worked three jobs while attending school at Brigham Young University, there she was an Art Education Major. Unable to afford her Senior Year at BYU she transferred to The University of New Mexico. While there, she met and fell in love with the dashing and hard-working L.D. Bowerman.
They were married on December 26, 1960. Mary had earned her teaching certificate and began teaching in an elementary school. Mary loved the children that she taught. They were married for 62 years before L.D. passed away on October 18, 2022. They have three beautiful children Nancy, Shannon and Brad. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple in 1967.
Mary was a dedicated wife and mother. She traveled all over the country supporting L.D. as he built an incredible 38-year career with the Kiewit Company. During this time, she was busy serving in a multitude of church callings. She served as a Primary Teacher, Young Women’s President, Primary President, and Relief Society Presidencies, and served with L.D. when they were called to be mission presidents in the Washington, Seattle Mission from 1993-1996.
Upon completing their mission, L.D. and Mary settled in the Salt Lake Valley so Mary could be close to her children and grandchildren. Mary’s greatest desire was to be a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved it when her growing posterity gathered together. She was an amazing cook and could make homemade mac-and-cheese like no other. Mary was a lifelong learner and needing just a few credits to complete her bachelor's degree, she completed her university career when she was 69. She was thrilled when her diploma arrived in the mail and was so proud to have accomplished this goal.
Mary is survived by her three children, Nancy (Doug), Shannon (Mike), son Brad (Ale), her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband L.D., her mother, and four siblings.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the nurses and caregivers at Danville Support Services and her Hospice nurse.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 16th from 9:00 to 10:30 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel located at 1617 East 12700 South, Draper Utah.
Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens following the funeral service.
Condolences to the whole family. Growing up moving town to town on the same jobs our families spent a lot of time together. Mary is one of the nicest people I have ever been around. She had a way of warming every room she entered. Family (both her own and our Kiewit family) was always first in her heart and she made it a priority.
So sorry for your loss Shannon and family. Sending you so much love.