Maria Santchez Openshaw

Marie Openshaw 1903 – 2004

Marie A. Santchez Openshaw, age 100, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away Monday, June 28, 2004, in Salt Lake City.

She was born Aug. 13, 1903, in San Antonio, Texas, to Porfirio M. and Charmaine Exchaurciel Santchez. She grew up mostly in the Wickenburg and Vulture Mine areas of Arizona. She married Dr. Eli Carlos Openshaw on Dec. 29, 1929, in Nogales, Mexico. Shortly after, she joined the LDS church and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Throughout the years they lived in several small communities in Utah and Idaho where doctors were needed. They finally settled in the Glendale area of Salt Lake City. She had two children, William Franklin and Orchid-Marie. She worked answering inquiries at Deseret Book in Salt Lake City for 30 years. She was active in the LDS church and served in many positions.

Marie loved music, loved to dance and loved to read books. She constantly sought to better herself through learning. She was a gifted writer and poet. Marie was also deeply spiritual. She was an eternal optimist and had a very determined personality. She had a rare talent for loving others. She always looked for ways to serve and help people around her, and she was never known to say an unkind thing to or about anyone. As such, she was beloved by people wherever she went.

Marie will be deeply missed by her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, siblings, and parents.

Funeral services will be at noon Friday, July 2, at the Cannon Third Ward, 1301 S. 1200 West, Salt Lake City. Viewings will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 255 S. 200 East, SLC, and at the church from 10:45-11:45 a.m. on Friday. Burial will be at the Sunset Lawn Memorial Park, 2350 E. 1300 South, Salt Lake City.