Marian Austin

Our beautiful mother, Frances Marian Sizemore Austin, passed away on July 21st, 2023. She was born on March 11, 1933, to Devar Sizemore and Althora Pyper Sizemore. Mom grew up in the old Bacchus Village, west of the Hercules Powder Company. Bacchus was one of her favorite places and she talked of it often when we children were small. Occasionally we would take family drives through what was left of the village before it was torn down. She enjoyed telling us stories of what she did growing up and about families she knew. As she grew she became fond of another person living in the village, Eugene Worlton Austin. They fell in love and were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on March 20, 1951. A few years after they were married and Dad was discharged from the Army, they purchased a house from Bacchus and moved it to Hunter where us kids grew up.

The big family that mom and dad desired started with seven children, Diana (Greg), Mark (Lori), Cheryl (Duwaine), Carolyn (Duane), Jeff, Linda (Dave), and Stephanie (Randy). These children in turn provided 28 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Mom is survived by her brother Dick Sizemore (Connie) and Carollee Tew (Sister in Law).

Mom loved her family and so many others that came into her life. As children, each of us felt like we were the most loved and her favorite. This was because of her great capacity to show genuine Christ-like love to all of us. There are so many others that called her mom or mother, who looked to her for council and advice in dealing with the challenges of life. She was so gracious and willing to help whoever with whatever.

Service to others was important to mom and she exemplified this in multiple ways. As a young girl she learned from her mother how to sew, knit and crochet. This talent was passed on to whomever was interested in learning. She was a beautiful seamstress and kept her girls always looking nice with new dresses and other items of clothing. Mom was very compassionate to everyone and always prepared meals or had a shoulder to cry on and a big hug for others in need. Mom always had a project close at hand to work on in the evenings after bedtime. Literally thousands of hours were spent on needlework, quilts (pieced, tied, and hand quilted), and making afghans. Every family member and many others, have been recipients of these treasures and for years to come will be able wrap ourselves in the warmth of her memory.

Cooking was a specialty she took great pride in. Sharing that talent with all of her girls and both of her boys was something that brought her happiness. Cooking meals for nine people was a massive undertaking each and every day but she loved it. She could even make parsnips and turnips taste good. Mom always fixed enough food, and then some. If there were not left overs she would feel like she hadn't prepared enough. Some of our greatest memories include the smell of homemade bread, chili sauce, or rice pudding as we opened the door after returning home from school. During the fall our home became a cannery. Peaches, pears, pickles, jams, and jellies and one of our favorite, chokecherry syrup, were all prepared and put in canning jars. Homemade ice cream was always a treat. She would help put the ingredients together and then we would help dad churn the ice cream maker. Dad made sure she always got the first spoonful just to make sure it tasted right. Then there is the homemade chocolates. For years, snow meant making chocolates and then trying to find where mom and dad hid them. They used many tactics to hide those little gems but I think we found every one of their secret places.

She loved being with family. Any occasion to get together was a special time for her. Christmas time was always a favorite for her. She would help us prepare different parts in reenacting the Christmas story and lead us in singing songs about the Savior. One of the highlights of every year was the Pyper reunion. It no sooner was over and she would start planning for the next time it was her turn. How she loved being with her extended family!

Vacations were important for Mom and Dad. We spent many years going to Flaming Gorge, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Bryce Canyon. Going to Uncle Bob's house for a week in Idaho was always a treat and something our whole family looked forward to doing. After Mom and Dad retired they became snowbirds. They enjoyed spending winters in St. George and Apache Junction, Arizona. Summers were spent at Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming. They made many friends, and enjoyed relaxing.

Mom was a compassionate caregiver. When dad got sick she helped significantly to care for him until he passed away. For us children we learned quickly that every bump and bruise, cut or scrape would feel better as soon as we got to mom. We were blessed beyond measure to have mom as our mother. We love her and will miss her and trust in Heavenly Father's plan. We will be with her again.

Mom is preceded in death by her loving husband Eugene Worlton Austin, her parents Devar and Althora Sizemore, her brother Allen Sizemore, and 2 grandchildren Sarah Adams Mickelson and Jared Mauchley.

A viewing will take place on Wednesday evening, July 26, 2023, from 6-8 pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah. The funeral will be held Thursday morning, July 27, 2023 at 9:30 am at McDougal Funeral Home. The interment will then follow at Valley View Memorial Park, 4334 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah.

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