Mary Blaney

Mary passed away surrounded by family on March 18, 2013, after a massive stroke. She fought valiantly for a week and a half trying to make it easier for her family. She was born on August 24, 1924 to Earnst Richard and Clarice Ordell Turner Hardcastle in Sandy, Utah. She was the 2 ^nd child of 8. She enjoyed being a second mom to her younger siblings. She grew up in Sandy and met her life long sweetheart, Lawrence George Blaney, when she was 16 and she married him after the war. They had two beautiful daughters. They raised their family in the Salt Lake valley. She mothered siblings, her children, grand-children, great grand-children, neices and nephews, neighbors, friends and anyone who needed to be taken care of. After Lawrence retired they would spend nine months of the year in St. George, Utah with their grand-daughter (as grandpa fondly called it as "snow birds"). The last five years Mary has lived in St. George with her daughter.

During the war she worked at Hill Air Force base fixing planes. She could fit in to tight places no else could fit in because of her small stature. She also worked at the railroad and was a very valued employee but she decided she wanted to be a wife and mother instead. All though her family was her first priority, she had many hobbies. She loved to garden. Her yard won "yard of the year" for several years. Her flowers were a site to behold. Due to her love for photography her family nick named her "Don Blair". She was always taking pictures; she could be found with a camera at all times. She was very talented with her hands and they were always busy. She was an artist and a writer. She painted with oil and did pen/ink drawings. She could draw faces that had an angelic feel to them, as well as, writing peoms and stories. She sewed, knitted and crocheted, of which, we all benefitted from. She was an amazingly talented woman this list could go on and on, but I think she will be remember most for her kind, loving, fun, valiant spirit. Everyone that met her loved her.

She is survived by her daughters Diana (Ron) Stephens, Lorraine (Dave) Goodsell; Grand-children- Gina Hamlin, Ronna Stephens, Richard Stephens and Justin (Julie) Goodsell; Great Grand-children - Austin Hamlin, Colton Hamlin, Alexis Hamlin, Stephen Gonzales, Tori Goodsell and Jordan Goodsell; Sister - Glenda (James) Ontiveros. She is preceded in death by her husband- Lawrence Blaney; her parents; six brothers and sisters - Neldon Hardcastle, Keith Hardcastle, Bonnie Lofthouse, Anita Rasmussen, Raymond Hardcastle and Ernie Hardcastle; Grand-children - Natalie Goodsell and Mike Hamlin.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the Knolls LDS Chapel located on 1905 E. Rustic Drive (2660 S.), St. George, Utah. There will be a viewing one hour prior to funeral services. Interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George, Utah.

A special thank you to Dr. Goodger, Dr. Lewis, staff at Dixie Regional and Kolob for going above and beyond caring for our special little Mary.