Mary Rael

Mary LaVerne (Bowen) Rael of Enoch passed away January 24, 2022, at the age of 73, at her home, from various health issues.

Mary was born July 20, 1948, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Aaron and Mary (Hopkins) Bowen. She graduated from Central High School in Jackson, with the class of 1966 and attended Delta State University before getting married. She met Howard Rael, a neighbor in her apartment building in Laurel, Mississippi, and they married soon after on June 14, 1973. She loved Howard the rest of her life. They were married for 48 years. Throughout that time, with loving devotion, she followed Howard wherever his career took them.

Life led her to stops in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Saudi Arabia, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, and finally Utah. She enjoyed watching baseball, whether it was a professional game live or on television, or one of her kids’ games when they were younger. Mary enjoyed traveling as well. Road trips with the family happened most summers: national parks, camping, and museums, or just visiting other family always made for a good adventure and life-long memories.

Mary was a selfless person, a Christian taking to heart “love thy neighbor,” ready to provide a home-cooked meal or conversation to whoever needed it. She loved being a mother to anyone who needed one. A traditional Southern meal could be had from her kitchen on many nights and a beloved dog always had a place in her house. One especially treasured dog flew to Saudi Arabia as there was no way Mary would leave Daisy, a part of the family, behind. Christmas time was her favorite as she loved to decorate her house and Christmas trees and tried to make the holiday special for everyone in her life. In her younger days she enjoyed sewing, cross-stitching, and quilting in her free time, creating many gifts for friends and family.

She is survived by her husband, Howard; children, Phillip (Amanda), Michael (Jody), Sarah (Steve) Biondo, Christina, and Patrick; grandchildren, Aidan, Carissa, and Braedon; and her sisters, Linda Thurman and Connie Clay. Mary was predeceased by her parents Aaron and Mary Bowen, and sister, Trudy Barrett.

Final arrangements are under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.mortuary.org