Mariel Virginia Wilkins Stones

Ninety-three-year-old Mariel Virginia Wilkins Stones, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, passed away peacefully November 3, in American Fork, Utah.

Mariel (Mary) was born May 13, 1913, in Vancouver, Washington. She lost her father, Oscar Wilkins, at age five and her mother, Lillian A. Deal Wilkins, a few years after her marriage.

She married James Grant Stones, June 8, 1935, and together they cultivated a progeny of 122. Mariel and Grant were married 46 years, raising their six children in the Willamette Valley and in 1970 retiring to Central Oregon.

Mariel and Grant enjoyed their retirement together in their Sisters home for 11 years when Grant passed away. Mariel remained in this chosen place of natural beauty loving thoroughly the serene Cascades, lofty ponderosa pines, wildlife and many friends whom she had developed over her 36 years of residency there. It was in 2006 that she moved to Utah where many family members reside.

Mariel, the youngest of six, survived all her siblings, Deal, Maurice, Paul, and Jack Wilkins and Azalia Wilkins Anderson; her husband, James Grant Stones, by 25 years, Roger Kent Stones, their son, and two grandchildren, Richard King Parker and Kevin Reiner Stones.

Mary is survived by five of her six children, Robert Carr Stones of Vernal, Utah; Richard Deal Stones of McCall, Idaho; JoAnn Stones Fromme of Bend, Oregon; Victoria Stones Thompson of Bend, Oregon; and Mary Lou Stones Parker of Alpine, Utah.

Mariel and Grant have a rich legacy of 25 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren, 122 family members in all. The family is a very strong unit.

Mariel was loved by all who knew her. Early in her life she created Telso Club, which still continues today, and in the 1940s and 1950s achieved excellence with her husband as Arthur Murray ballroom dancers and teachers. Mariel, with her friend, La Rue Wagner, created their own catering business "As You Like It" luncheon service in about 1949 in the Portland area.

Mariel formed a family Christmas Club when her children were married. She worked for the Néstle company, retiring when she and Grant moved to Central Oregon in 1970. She served faithfully as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a beloved leader and teacher to both young and old. Mariel has influenced the lives of many, both within and outside her family. We will eternally have her in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Family memorials will take place in Alpine, Utah and in Portland, after which there will be a dedication of Mary's grave at Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland.

Information provided by the family of Mariel Stone.