Sarah Mabey Grow's Obituary
Sarah Mabey Grow, who devoted a lifetime of service to her family, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to her community, passed away peacefully Sept 21, 2013, at age 92.
Sarah was a wonderful mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She loved her children: Mary Kay, Stewart Jr., Robert, Laraine, Jeanne, Carolyn and their spouses. She also delighted in her 28 grandchildren, their spouses, 47 great grandchildren, their spouses, and 3 great, great grandchildren. In the sunset of her life, Sarah would often comment about how grateful she was for her “wonderful family.”
Sarah was born Sept 25, 1920 in Bountiful, Utah to David and Nellie Pack Mabey. From her parents and 3 brothers, Walker, Maeser and Mel, Sarah learned the joys of work, service and play. She accompanied her father on Saturdays to the bank, where she helped prepare financial statements, along with other duties. She also spent her youth delivering newspapers, playing the piano, and “even playing football with the boys.”
As a BYU freshman in 1937, Sarah enjoyed sharing her musical talents to accompany the Men’s Chorus, Cougar Quartet, and other musical groups. In 1940, she was elected vice president of the student body. That fall, the student body president left for active military duty, and Sarah became the first woman student body president at BYU. Graduating at age 20 with a bachelor’s degree in business education, a teaching certificate, and a minor in music, Sarah had a great foundation for her life ahead.
In July 1941, Sarah married her sweetheart Stewart L. Grow, in the Salt Lake Temple. This culminated their long-distance courtship while Stew worked as a congressional aid in Washington D.C. After a few months of married life in DC, Stew was activated into the Army Air Force. They started their family during the war, and eventually returned to Provo where Stew joined BYU’s faculty.
Church service was important in the Grow Family, and Sarah enjoyed a variety of LDS Church callings, including 9 years as president of the Sharon East Stake Relief Society (with 17 wards), 8 years on the Relief Society General Board, 6 years on the Church Music Committee and 15 years in the Provo Temple Sealing office.
Sarah served in capacities ranging from officer to volunteer for several community organizations including 21 years as a “Pink Lady” for the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
Sarah was honored for a lifetime of service by BYU President Merrill T. Bateman in 1997 with a Presidential Citation. A member of BYU Women since 1956, Sarah also served as President of the University’s Emeritus Alumni Association, offering her time and talents on the board for 8 years. She was described by one of her fellow board members as “gracious, talented, and always willing to share her time and abilities with others.”
Together and separately, Sarah and Stewart Grow blessed their family and many others by living their lives in harmony with the motto Stewart wrote for BYU: “Enter to learn, go forth to serve.” After 30 years without Stew, Sarah is most certainly enjoying a grand reunion, and new opportunities to serve.
Sarah encouraged her family and friends to “celebrate my graduation when I go.” Services to celebrate Sarah’s life and memory will be held Wednesday, Sept 25, 11 am at the Oak Hills LDS Stake Center, 925 E. North Temple Drive, Provo, UT. Family and friends may also visit just prior to the funeral, from 9:30 to 10:30 am; or on Tuesday, Sept 24, 7 to 8 pm at the church. Graveside services will be at East Lawn Memorial Cemetery following the funeral.
We invite you to share a memory and/or photo of Sarah to be added to her personal history. Please email to Jeanne at [email protected]
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