Sister of the Month - Sister Mary Gallagher and her ancester Benjamin Thomas Mitchell

Mary Johanson Gallagher

I was born on July 5, 1941 to Fred & Mary Johanson. AS you can see I was named after my mother, which has always been an honor. I have two older sister (one is deceased), on brother in the middle and a younger sister.

I grew up on lower Springview Dr. at 666 Springview Dr. A fun neighborhood with lots of friends. 700 East was just a 2 lane highway, easy to cross to go to Crofts Store to get candy & ice-cream. I went to Wandamere Ward until the chapel was built on 700 East & Jepson Ave. I was in the Spring Glen Ward.

I went to elementary at Roosevelt when it was on the corner of 900 East & 3300 South. Junior High was at Granite Jr. High right next to High School. I attended Granite High & went to seminary across the street. I left school, & got married. I went back to school in 1976 that’s when I graduated from High School. I always believed in being an example for our children & much satisfaction for myself.

Since the Jr. High & High School were connected, you couldn’t tell if you were in Jr. or Senior high. That’s where I met Larry. He had a new 1956 Ford & about 5 of my friends & I walked to & from school together, we said that’s the car we want to ride home in. We got our ride & I was the last one to be dropped off. The rest is history; we dated that spring & summer. He asked me to marry him on Christmas. We were married in March & sealed in the Salt Lake Temple 1 ½ years later.

My Grandmother lived where we do now & had a basement apartment. We rented from her, she enjoyed our company. WE had been married for almost 5 years & had 3 children when Larry was called to active duty with the National Guard. (He had already served with them for 6 years). He left & after 2 months, sent for me & the children to join him in Tacoma, Washington as he was stationed at Fort Lewis. We had no idea how long he would be gone, so I was grateful we could join him.

We had the church & we were grateful, as that was our family. Many members had been called from Utah & Idaho. We had many friends, got involved & participated in activities the church had to offer, like road shows & I did visiting teaching. Larry was on the rifle team so he would go to the base as if he had a full time job. No weekends unless it was training camps.

Renting from Grandma was a plus, as she let us keep our apartment & pay her partial rent. Larry got released after a year of service. We returned home to find Grandma was not doing well & was in a Care Facility. We didn’t know rather she would be able to come back home to buy. Grandma went to live with my parents, as she could no longer be alone, & asked if we wanted to buy the house. We’ve been here ever since & had another child.

I’ve had many callings in the church, it started as Mia maid teacher, Ward Young Women’s President twice, as well as Stake Young Women’s President, Young Women’s was my favorite, then I was called to be Gospel Doctrine teacher for 1 ½ years that was my most challenging. I know the Lord knew that would be the only way then, that I would read the Book of Mormon & Doctrine & Covenants all the way through as we would be teaching in Young Women the importance of reading these books. I have always believed in being an example, now that was one I could do thanks to that calling. I also served as Primary President, than Relief Society President. All of my callings were my favorites in their special way. I have been blessed in so many ways from the callings I have had. I am now a Ward Missionary & Visiting teachings coordinator & blessings come from serving.

I started working for the school lunch program when our youngest was 4. I was asked to start the Elementary lunch program in the city schools. I did that for 10 years. During that time I served as President of the SL School Foods Assn. & was on the Utah School Board. When our youngest was 14, I was told about a job working for a Podiatrist. I had no training in that area & was concerned about working full time. It was 4 days a week & weekends off. I applied & took a test to see if I qualified for the job. I must of passed as I was with him for 19 years. When he retired I was sold with the practice to a young Podiatrist just starting. I could leave after a year but I enjoyed working with him & I loved our patients. I was with him for 8 years than retired in 2004 to be with Larry who retired in 2000.

There was 3 things I wanted to do in my lifetime besides water ski, it was to snow ski, to be a certified scuba diver & kite flying, that was the hard one, I was able to go parasailing so that counted as my kite flying, so I did all 3. I love to travel, exercise, go to Monroe, Utah where we have a trailer, we call it our 2nd home. There, we can garden, ride our ATV’s, & have family gatherings on most holidays. I love being with the family. I also enjoy reading.

We have 4 children, 10 grandchildren & 3 great grandchildren. Life has been good with many blessings. My testimony started as a young child singing Joseph Smith First Prayer in a Primary program & blessings my father gave me. Being married is serving in our own ward at this time. I love to be able to help others. Not I need to do my genealogy more faithfully.

Pioneer Story

This history was on my Mothers, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers form. It’s about Benjamin Thomas Mitchell; I believe he is my great, great Grandfather. He helped plan & build the St. George Temple, also the Salt Lake Temple. He helped Brigham Young plan & layout Salt Lake City. He escorted several companies into the Salt Lake Valley, one in 1853. He helped plan & build City Hall.