In Loving Memory
1941•2026
Mary Ellen Hatch Bastian passed away on July 9, 2026 after a brief and sudden illness. She was born June 20, 1941, in Hatch, Idaho, the eldest child of John Ransom and Marjorie Stuart Hatch.
She graduated from North Gem High School in Bancroft, Idaho, and after graduation worked as a secretary for Thiokol, Hill Air Force Base, and also later as a secretary at West High School in Salt Lake City.
Mary Ellen married Roger Izatt Bastian on April 5, 1962 in the Logan LDS Temple and raised five children together. Mary Ellen generously served her family, community and church. She served many times as relief society president, primary president, young women’s president, pianist, chorister, choir director, and in many organizations as a counselor. She also loved her time serving as a temple worker in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. She often discussed her love of service. In her words, “I love people…and what they have taught me. Serving is the best.”
Mary Ellen deeply loved the family she built with Roger, and enjoyed her time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also loved the many friendships she cultivated with women in her ward and neighborhood. She often spent her time visiting and ministering to others. Mary Ellen was a caregiver through and through. Mary Ellen liked to travel to visit family and attend different LDS temples. She was well known for baking delicious breads and for her summer vegetable garden, and would always share with neighbors and friends.
Mary Ellen is survived by her children - Nathan (Shawn), Amy (Kim) Westbye, Susan (Gary) Sanders, and Brooke (Shawn) Williamson; Her siblings - Stuart Hatch, Dale Hatch, Diane Jemmett, and Maxine Egan; 18 grandchildren - Carrie (Bradford) Chambers, Madison Heil, Shannon (Cody) Schultz, Sidney (John Harper) Heil, Jacob (Allie) Bastian, Joshua (Laetitia) Bastian, Chelsea Bastian, Justen Bastian, Jaeden Bastian, Caleb Westbye, Maxwell Westbye, Lindsay (Collin) Overall, Jackson Sanders, Benjamin (Kris) Sanders, Ryan (Jess) Sanders, Meredith (Brendan) Ludlow, Samuel Williamson, and Joey Williamson; and soon will have 17 great-grandchildren. Her family is her greatest legacy and they will miss her smile and her hugs.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, her beloved husband Roger, and her eldest daughter Laurel (Andrew) Heil, and several extended family members.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rose Park North Stake Chapel (1155 North 1200 West, Salt Lake City). Friends may visit just prior to the service at the same location from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Salt Lake City Cemetery. Those unable to attend services may watch virtually by clicking on the "Watch Services" tab above.
My sincerest sympathies to her family - May Heavenly Father grant you all His Grace & Peace as you go this. Your memories andbrecollections will always keep Mary Elln alive in your hearts.
It is my dearest belief that this is a "graduation" to a better life with our Lord and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Aunt Mary Ellen was always so kind and had a warm smile. Hanging out with the Bastian family was a highlight when I was younger, whether it was Sunday dinner in Rose Park or a weekend in Bancroft.
Your mother was and still is a beautiful wonderful woman. I served with her in Primary years ago and she also was the Relief Society President when my mother died. She ministered to our family and was there on one of our hardest days on earth. I pray that your family has comfort and care at this time and again I thank you for sharing your mother with others in our Rose Park community.
We lived across the street from Mary Ellen for several years and she is a dear friend and one of the finest people we've known. We will miss watching Jazz games and sharing meals with her, but more importantly her kindness and love. She often talked of the retirement her and Roger never were able to enjoy together and my thoughts immediately went to their reunion when we learned of her passing. We will miss you Mary Ellen!
A few kind words can mean a great deal to the family in the days ahead.
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