In Memory

Mary Pinegar (Halterman)

Mary Pinegar (Halterman)

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, wife and friend, Mary Jane Pinegar Halterman, passed away on April 19, 2014. She fought a courageous battle with brain cancer, but returned home to be with her Heavenly Father on a beautiful Easter weekend morning. Mary Jane was born June 12, 1955 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Wallace Lynn and Mary Walker Pinegar. She graduated from Skyline High School in Holladay, Utah in 1973. She attended what is now SUU in Cedar City, majoring in music. She married Kent Taylor Bown in 1975 in the Salt Lake temple and had four children. Later she married Samuel Whitney Halterman in the Salt Lake temple in 1991, and moved to Parowan, Utah. He brought with him two children from a previous marriage, and together they had twin sons. Parowan was the community that allowed her to harness her talents, and she participated in many local plays, performed all over the state of Utah in her beloved singing quartet, “One Voice”, and was a dedicated member of the City Council. She was also a member of the Iron County Fair planning committee, and put on a successful county fair year after year, worked as the secretary for the LDS Seminary, and would accompany high school music classes and any other member of the community needing a pianist. Gardening was also a passion, as was evidenced by the large vegetable and flower garden behind her home. She was always out to have a great time. A faithful follower of Christ and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served as Primary and Young Women’s president, visiting teacher, led the music, ward music director, and her last role was as Relief Society President, which she continued to do even after brain surgery. Her love of Christ was something she wanted all of her children to find, and would share it with them often. She loved her 10 grandchildren (and one on the way). She is preceded in death by her son Justin Lynn Bown. She is survived by her husband Sam, children: Taylor (Shannon) Bown, Salt Lake City, UT; Jade (Colby) Adams, Washington, UT; Bryce Bown, Washington, UT; Cory (Kerin) Halterman, Holladay, UT; Lana (Justin) LeFevre, Pleasant Grove, UT; Walker Halterman; Carson Halterman, Parowan, UT; and her foreign exchange daughter Shannon Moebius (Germany). She is also survived by her parents Lynn and Mary Pinegar; siblings Jeff, John, Judd, Joe, and Jeanne, and their spouses. The family expresses gratitude to family and friends for the support and care given to our family and our mother this last year. Funeral services are Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Parowan 3rd Ward chapel on Parowan Main Street. Viewing will be Friday, April 25, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 PM and from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM on Saturday at the church. Interment will be at the Parowan Cemetery following funeral services. In lieu of flowers, a music scholarship has been set up in her name. Donations can be sent to: Parowan High School, PO Box 337, Parowan, UT 84761. Please write for “Mary Halterman Scholarship” in the Memo field.

Also a tribute from Mary's daughter:

http://thetruthaboutblondes.com/



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment

04/24/14 03:39 PM #1    

Jay Rice

I remember Mary Pinegar at Skyline.  She was a really good person, who lead a wonderful life.  My condoles goes out to her family. It's really good to read her obituary and to see how she used her many talents to bless people.  Jay Rice '73


04/24/14 04:49 PM #2    

Bill Brough

Mary was someone I only barely knew until our senior year. Then she was recommended to me as a really good singer when I was looking for musicians to help me, Bill Beilke and Jerilyn Kuhre stage Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Once I heard her sing, I made sure I gave her one of the solos in the show.  From that point on she was a good friend and performed with me in my post-high school and post-mission bands. She had such a smooth and easy voice, and she was also really fun to be with, very sweet and goodhearted.

Her first marriage was not happy, and the worst of it was the drowning death of her 4-year-old son right about the time she got divorced. But that's when Mary showed who she really was, supporting her three children by herself for several years before remarrying and moving to, of all places, Parowan. There, she blossomed and became not only a great wife and mother, but an important part of a community that accepted her, though she was an outsider at first, and allowed her to shine as a pianist, as a singer, as a church leader and as a civic leader. I was so proud of her, and would sometimes stop in to see her when I was passing through the area. I'm so glad I did, knowing now that her time was short.

So it's safe to say I knew her better than a lot of her Skyline classmates who nevertheless loved and will miss her. Her passing leaves a hole in my life that no one else will ever fill. I'm sad for her family, but happy for her because she lived her life well, on her own terms, and was at peace with herself and her life's journey. Though she may be gone from us for a while, and leaves behind a family who lost her too soon, I like to think of how joyful it has been for her to finally get to see her little Justin again. That's how I prefer to frame this.

Adieu, Mary. Love you always.


04/24/14 05:53 PM #3    

Michele Pearson (Spencer)

My earliest memories of Mary Jane go back to when we were four-year old Sunbeams in Primary. Funny thing, I didn't really like her way back then because she was bigger, stronger, full of kinetic energy, assertive, and she sometimes had a tendency to tease. I mostly stayed out of her way until she mellowed and I learned to take myself less seriously. By junior high, we had become pretty good friends, and by graduation, well it was hard for me when we went off to separate colleges--her to Southern Utah and me to the U of U.

Her influence motivated and helped me develop interests, talents, and skills that have led to so many incredible life experiences!  If I had to choose a theme song for our friendship, “Wind Beneath My Wings” might be appropriate (afterall, we were Skyline Eagles). Like many good songs, it has become a little too cliché, and if I was singing it about Mary, there’s another problem with that verse “It must have been cold there in my shadow…”  Such a statuesque, talented beauty was never in anyone’s shadow, especially mine!  She was someone who made things happen, then we all had fun and built lasting memories in the process.

She was also an example of grace, courage, kindness, and faith through adversity. A little over a year ago, I got off a long flight from Europe with what I thought was a sinus infection. I ended up hospitalized with pneumonia instead. That's when my mother broke the news to me that Mary Jane had just had surgery for brain cancer! But guess who called me in the hospital the next day to see how I was doing? She was the one undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for a life-threatening illness with a poor prognosis. Yet she sounded so upbeat and accepting of whatever outcome awaited her. She knew it was in the Lord's hands and things would work out for the best regardless. I wish she could have gotten well and stayed with us a little longer, but like Bill, I'll choose to imagine her joyous reunion with her son.

I'll also remember Mary with words from a song she sang (based on Paul's epistle to the Phillipians in the New Testament):

"I thank my God on every remembrance of you. Always, in every prayer of mine for you, with joy, I have you in my heart!" (Song of Devotion by John Ness Beck)


04/26/14 08:26 AM #4    

Kim Worthen (Beck)

I became acquainted with Mary Jane our sophomore year, and we had great times together.  I loved her smile and her zest for life!  Her singing voice was beautiful and I admired her understanding of music.  Mary Jane and I sang in a quartet with Michele Pearson and Bonnie Kramer.  Mary's mother patiently accompanied us!  I spent many weekend nights with Mary Jane and Marie Aro, always having so much fun, we enjoyed great talks together.  Fun memories of a church trip to Bear Lake as well!

We lost touch after graduation, I went to the U and she went to Southern Utah.  I remember her wedding reception outside on a beautiful summer night and she looked amazing!  I was so happy that I did get to hear her sing with Bill Brough in Salt Lake, I loved that voice of hers!  The last time we saw each other was at her son's funeral.  My heart breaks for her family, but what an incredible legacy she has left them.  I am so happy to know that she found such a beautiful life in Parowan and made such an impact on her community.

Love you, Mary.

Kim


05/18/14 08:04 PM #5    

Debbie Kuhn (Curry)

This is tough news to realize. A childhood friend, we met at age five and grew up in the same neighborhood (along with Michele Pearson.) Mary was a gifted singer, excelled at team sports (such as volleyball and softball) and was devoted to a large family with many siblings. I'll always remember her infectious laugh, her beautiful smile and the way her sky blue eyes sparkled brightly. Love you Mary.


07/07/14 08:58 PM #6    

Eileen Habenicht (Snow)

I am so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. Mary, Michelle Pearson, Leslie Harris and I had such great times singing and camping and horsing around. She was fun, talented amazing on the piano and I loved her a lot.


07/22/16 12:17 PM #7    

Tim Cox

I did not know Mary very well.  During the last few months before her passing I was able to visit with her a number of times.I called her to get her to sign up on the web page and to invite her to our 40 year reunion.I think she wanted to come but I think she was nervous about her health.  She mentioned that she had just been diagnosed with cancer and when I found out which type I knew the prognosis was not good. She was brave and said she was fighting it to the best of her abilities. If she had had a good day, I believe she would have come to the reunion.  She wanted to be there with us.  Her courage has given me strength.  Thank you Mary. 


go to top 
  Post Comment