Mary Evelyn Harames Farnes

Mary Evelyn Harames Farnes passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, with her loving husband and two daughters by her side.

Mary was born in Ogden, Utah on April 12, 1947, to Josephine Bailey Harames and Apostolos Paul Harames. She was an intelligent child who loved to learn. She excelled in school eventually becoming a Sterling Scholar in History. She also started piano lessons at a young age and became an amazing pianist and organist.

On August 25, 1966, Mary and R. Farrel Farnes were sealed in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. Within a few years Mary became a military wife when Farrel was drafted into the Army. They became parents when they adopted a daughter, Debra, while in the Army and then were doubly blessed when they adopted another daughter, Denise, 4 years later.

Over the years, the family lived in Sunset, Ogden and Roy, Utah, Burley, Nampa, Twin Falls, and Boise, Idaho, and finally retired in Syracuse, Utah.

Mary had a great love for the gospel and was a faithful daughter of God. Her talents in music and teaching were evident in the many callings she had as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She worked with all ages from nursery to Gospel Doctrine and even served as an early-morning seminary teacher.

Mary loved to laugh and had her dad’s playful sense of humor. Hallmark movies and musical talent reality shows were her favorite. Mary was also a huge Utah Jazz fan and loved comparing notes about games with her grandson-in-law, Beau. You wouldn’t find many days that Mary wasn’t wearing purple, her favorite color. Over her life, she shared her musical talents by participating in community plays, joining community and church choirs, composing original music and teaching piano lessons. She was also a gifted writer who had a beautiful understanding of the English language and loved helping others improve their English language skills. Mary was very proud of her Greek(father) and Handcart Pioneer(mother) heritage. She loved her family and spending time with them. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. Mary was resilient and worked through many health challenges throughout her life.

She is survived by her eternal companion, Farrel, her two daughters, Deb (Terry) and Denise (Josh), Grandchildren – Jake (Jordan), Jessica, Courtney (Brandon), Carson (Samantha), Holly (Tyler), Gracie (Beau), and Hunter (Savannah). Great-grandchildren Elsie, Lucas, Claire, Reid, Charleigh, Renner, Traven, Noah, and Jamison. She is also survived by her brother Paul Harames (Sheryl), sister JoAnn Shively, sister-in-law Mary Rawlins, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her dear parents Paul and Josephine Harames, two brothers Dennis and Curt, and brother-in-law Charles Shively.

We will be celebrating Mary’s life at a visitation on Tuesday, October 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist Syracuse Mortuary 869 S 2000 W, Syracuse, UT 84075. There will be a second opportunity for visitation on Wednesday, October 8, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service that begins at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Center Ward Building at 2228 S 1660 W, Syracuse, UT. Interment will follow directly after the service at Syracuse City Cemetery 1250 S 1000 W, Syracuse, UT.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, to commemorate the fantastic cancer care Mary received many years ago. https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/71762/donate/1