Marian Joyce Graves

Marian was born May 9, 1948, to parents Hugh and Daisy (Deverall) Aston of Garfield, Utah. She grew up in Magna, Utah, and was a proud alumna of Cyprus High School. She married James (Jim) Jones, of Hunter, Utah, later divorced. She and Jim raised sons Greg, Jason and Jeremy Jones. She later married Richard (Dick) Graves, also divorced. Dick and Marian were blessed later in life with son Jacob, who kept them both young and active for many years afterward. Despite her divorces from Jim and Dick, Marian stayed close with the families of both, and considered the Jones, Stevens, Macmillan, and Graves families as her own.

Marian continued to support Cyprus High through the graduation there of her first three sons. She loved to attend baseball, basketball and football games, tennis matches, plays and assemblies at her alma matter. She instilled in all of her boys a desire for learning, respect for people of all walks of life, a strong work ethic, and a love of family. Marian was a devoted mother who spent countless hours with her sons in scouting (proudly producing two Eagle Scouts), sports, school and music. The many titles she enjoyed over the years included room mother, den mother, Sunday School teacher, PTA President, and many more.

Marian had a keen sense of humor and entertained those around her to the end. She created and nurtured strong family ties. She was a tireless advocate for justice, and would help anyone who was in need. She was an avid reader, a determined hiker and a consummate fudge maker. She was nearly always moving and on the lookout for the next project, usually with one or more sons in tow. She loved Sunday dinners with her family, the Magna 4th of July Parade, Jazzercise and Neil Diamond.

Marian retired after a successful career with the Utah State Courts. She served in the West Valley district court, the Salt Lake City justice court and as Chief Deputy at the third district court in the Matheson Courthouse. She knew just about everything and everyone, and was widely recognized as someone who would help anyone, whether a defendant, an attorney, judge or agency. She was respected by everyone involved in the court system.

The family expresses their special thanks to Marian’s life-long friends of “Club:” Lynda Rushton, Halene Draper, Carla Rushton, Sue Parker, Judy Daybell, Charlene Cherry, Gay Wagstaff, Nancy Futrell, Pam Stewart and Pam Dilley. Also, those closest to her at the end, the caretakers and staff of Wentworth Draper.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Daisy Aston, brother Kenny Aston, and sister Leslie Stephens. Survived by sons Greg (Sepideh) Jones, Jason (Cherie) Jones, Jeremy Jones and Jacob Graves; grandchildren Alex Jones, Ashley Robbins, Sydney Jones, Drew Jones, Nick Jones, Elliott Jones, Nathaniel Jones and Ian Jones; and two great-grandchildren, Gracie Robbins and Victoria Dawn Jones De Casa.

Due to the current pandemic, Marian was interred at Valley View Memorial Park in a private family gathering. A celebration of her life is planned for May 8, 2021, the day prior to her birthday, which fittingly falls on Mother’s Day next year.