Barbara Mahas

Barbara Sorensen Mahas
4/1/1925 – 8/22/2014

Barbara Sorensen Mahas passed away on August 22, 2014, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born April 1, 1925, to Fred A. Sorensen and Mary Morris Sorensen. Barbara recently celebrated 60 years of marriage with her sweetheart and companion, Theodore G. “Bud” Mahas. Together they raised four wonderful children: Steven (Marion Bennett), David (Elizabeth Isaacson), Sheri Swenson (Douglas), and Marilyn McConkie (Pace). She found great joy and happiness in her sixteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her only brother Lowell Sorensen.

Barbara graduated from East High and the U of U; active on campus and made lifelong friends in the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, The Spurs, and serving on the Utonian staff. U of U activities were a great part of her life. She married Bud Mahas on May 12, 1954. As Bud says, she accepted an unusual Greek surname with dignity and pride and added luster to the name. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, where their family was sealed for eternity. Bud and Barbara started building their present house soon after their marriage. Barbara claimed she only remembered two homes she ever lived in: the one her father built and the one Bud built on Browning Avenue.

Barbara will be remembered first and foremost as a marvelous wife and mother, an attentive and fun grandmother, and an excellent homemaker. She was a woman of elegance and grace, and she set the standard for appearance and style; like a true virtuous woman (Prov. 31), “her clothing [was] silk and purple.” She was a hard worker; as the accountant and bookkeeper, she kept the family organized. Barbara loved to sit on their front porch on nice evenings and say hello to neighbors on their walks; her home was a gathering place for warm conversation. She was active all throughout her life and enjoyed traveling with family and friends; one of her favorite memories was visiting Bud’s father’s village in Krokilion, Greece, with 26 family members and being entertained by their Greek relatives. She enjoyed playing tennis, skiing, organizing parties and family gatherings, and dancing cheek to cheek with Bud. She was truly his “co-pilot” in every sense of the word.

Barbara served faithfully as a member of The LDS Church; driving older ladies to their weekly temple trip, always the first to volunteer to bring food to funerals and church functions, and finding joy in welcoming people to church as a greeter. “People are wonderful”

Funeral services will be held at the Salt Lake Foothill 7th Ward, 2215 East Roosevelt Avenue on August 28 at 11:00 am. Friends may call August 27 6-8 pm and August 28 9:30-10:30 am at the Ward House. In Lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Huntsman Cancer Center or the LDS Missionary Fund. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com