Mary Ellen Eastman

Mary Ellen Eastman slipped away peacefully on August 5, 2023. Born June 15, 1937 in Evanston, Wyoming to LaVaine Vincent Eastman and Mary Ellen Brooks. She spent her first years in Evanston with her parents and grandparents and her older brother LaVaine “Bud” Eastman, Jr. She enjoyed spending time with her grandparents as a young girl. After her parents divorced when she was seven, they moved to Riverdale, Utah. It was here her mother married Gilbert Moore, adding another brother William “Billy” and a sister, Gilene. She was fondly known as “Sis” to her siblings. She graduated from Olympus High School in Salt Lake City in 1955. In 1957, she met David Jack Wagstaff and they were married six weeks later. They had four children: Tammy, Terilyn, Trisha, and Todd. She worked occasionally outside her home, but her primary occupation was as a homemaker. Mary Ellen loved the outdoors. She loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed the hot sun! After divorcing David Wagstaff, she enjoyed many years of companionship with Mel Worthen. They lived in Joe’s Valley, Utah in the cabin Mel built. Mary Ellen loved animals and had a dog nearby most of her life. She loved to watch the deer and other animals roaming on their property in the early morning. They rode four-wheelers and fished. They had friends to socialize with and enjoyed their weekend get-togethers. Mary Ellen enjoyed knitting and crocheting which she learned from her grandmother. She made many beautiful items including blankets and afghans for births and other special occasions. Mary Ellen was the “fun mom” in the neighborhood. She played outdoor games and indoor games (taught us and our friends how to play poker) with her children and their friends. You might find her driving 13 girls to a softball game all piled in her car and singing as loud as everyone could the country western songs mom loved. She is survived by her children Tammy Roper (Teryl), Smithfield, UT; Terilyn Moffett (Cory), Sandy, UT; Trisha Marchant (Kirk), Sandy, UT; and Todd Wagstaff (Cindy) Las Vegas, NV; 19 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her former spouse, David J. Wagstaff, her partner Mel Worthen, and her parents and siblings. We are grateful for the fun and happy fun memories of her that we will cherish forever. She will be missed. A family celebration of her life will be held at a later time. The family expresses sincere gratitude to the staff of the Sandy Health and Rehab and Canyon’s Hospice for the kindness, care, and friendship given to our mother during the past year. “See you later” Mom, Grandma, Grandma-Great, Ol’ Yady, Lady Grandma, and Great, Great Grandma.

Mary Ellen Eastman

June 15, 1937 - August 5, 2023