Mary Eliza Byington

Mary Eliza Jewell Byington loved life!!! She was born May 14, 1926, in Rupert, Idaho on the Jewell Ranch. She was the oldest daughter and second child of William and Minnie Mounteer Jewell. She has 8 siblings: Bill Jewell (Verba both deceased); Evie Sabo (Johnny deceased), Betty Wilde (Melvin both deceased), Glen Jewell (Mary Ann both deceased), Elaine Lee (Harold deceased), Don Jewell (Alice), Donna Wilde (Donnie deceased), and Pat Allison (Larry deceased).

Mary married Vernile Byington (deceased) December 28, 1942, in Hailey, Idaho and had 7 children – the delight of her life: They are the magnificent 7, Dennis (Mary), Gary (Donna), Darryl (Darlene), David (Kim deceased), Ken (Linda deceased), Diane, and Cheryl Anderson (Ken deceased). 

They worked very hard to support their family with their farms. Vernile took a city girl and tried to turn her into a country gal. She evolved and was even able to bring baby calves and lambs into her kitchen during cold and stormy nights. This environment was instrumental in developing their children’s work ethics. Many people have commented over the years on how hard-working each of these 7 individuals are. Their kids all contributed their work ethic to their parents and the farm. The extended family members counted the farm as a dude ranch. My parents were always gracious to host these families willingly and saddling the horses for these greenhorns. 

Mary was every teacher’s pet. Her dad was a railroad man and moved from town to town until they ended in Ketchum, Idaho. She lived in Soda Springs, McCammon twice, Pocatello, Wyoming, Nevada, Union Utah. She hated having to move every year and would sob on her last day of school, already missing her teacher and friends. Consequently, she and her siblings were best friends. Mary and Evie were in the high school Bugle Corps. Mary was extremely beautiful besides being kind and spiritual and thus was chosen to be the Gold and Green Ball Queen with her sister Evie being her attending, Princess. 

Mary had 2 great passions: The Gospel of Jesus Christ; and had an early and firm testimony. And family – loving everyone from her kids to grands, great grands. She was truly the Matriarch of her family starting family reunions and having them flourish for many years. 

Another love was singing especially with her mom and siblings. A favorite memory was the program for Mary and Vernile’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. Mom’s siblings sang a beautiful repertoire of songs from the 1940s. Her grandchildren sang a beautiful number with her children following a different and perhaps less pleasing rendition of the same song. That’s all that’s going to be said on that account.

Besides her many callings in the church, Mary headed the Bicentennial Committee for Blaine County, was a cub scout leader, 4-H leader, Cow Bell Officer, and held many other leadership positions.

She had a great interest in genealogy, even when it was the old-fashioned way, and she sent many letters to strangers and libraries to hunt in various cities to find her family. One of her biggest triumphs was to find her father’s parents with the find of a professional studio and its address on the back. She was a genealogical Sherlock Holmes. 

Her other interests included gardening (she developed a love of flowers from her mother Minnie), sewing (spending many nights before holidays staying up late to surprise her daughters with new Easter and Christmas dresses.). She and Dad loved dancing: in their early years they went ballroom dancing at various venues. They also loved to square dance, often bringing their children to the family dances. They were such experts they taught many youth groups how to square dance around the valley. She was also a voracious reader especially loving gospel-oriented book. She has always been extremely generous with her talents and gifts – making sure all family members, visitors, friends and even Hospice workers had her potato bags. She made complex Holiday towel decorations and table runners and shared those with many family and friends.

Mary spent a large majority of her time playing many games with family and friends. She belonged to many Bunco clubs and played pinochle up until the last few days of her life. Her very last game was an auto win. It was a strange day if you walked into Mary’s home to not see people playing at the table. Pinochle has been a family favorite forever. 

All of her Grandchildren agree Grandma had a way of making each one feel special and that they were her favorite. We all loved her dearly and all the things she taught us, and the time spent with us playing various games including pinochle and nerts.

Mary has 7 children, 26 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Mary Byington was a follower and example of Christ Like love. 

The Services will be on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the 10th Ward LDS Church, 4773 Independence Ave. Chubbuck, ID. There will be a visitation for family and friends an hour prior. Monday, September 2, 2024 will be the dedication of the grave at the Hailey Cemetery at 1:00 pm.

 Memories and condolences may be shared with the family using the guest book below.