Mary Ann Thayne Moon

Mary Ann Thayne is my great- great grandmother. She was born 27 Aug 1849 in Townsend, Ontario Canada. When she was 12, her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mary Ann and her 10 year old brother drove a team of oxen all the way to Iowa where the saints of the church had gathered. They waited there for the rest of their family to come, and together, made the last part of the journey to the Great Salt Lake.

Six years later, on 4 Jan 1868, she married Henry Moon who was still serving as bishop of the 1st ward at the time.  Only six months after their marriage, Henry's 1st wife Lydia died, and Henry moved Temperance, Mary Ann, and their families to Farmington.

Together Mary Ann and Henry had 9 children, the youngest being Nephi, my great-grandfather. Mary-Ann lived her life for her children, and her first duties were to her children. Her oldest daughter said that "her children always felt secure in her presence." Mary Ann way always willing to give to others, even when they did not have much to begin with. No one was turned away from her door. She gave many travelers a place to stay and boarded the school teachers and took great care of them.

Mary Ann had many church callings including Primary President and Relief Society counselor. According to her daughter, Mary Ann never indulged in gossip or shady stories. She would always strive for the Lord's will and not her own. 

When a father, Ernest White, lost his wife, Mary Ann took the children into her home and cared for them as if they were her own. When Henry died, Mary Ann was  just 45 years old and five years later she married Ernest White.

Mary Ann passed away on 18 Oct 1927 in the home of her daughter, Amanda Duncan in Neola, Utah. She was buried in the Woodland City Cemetery. When she died he had 45 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Source: Moon, Richard Nephi, Maureen Moon LaPray, and Louise Moon Theibaud. The Family of Henry Moon Mormon Pioneer 1819-1894. Provo: Brigham Young University Printing Press, 2006.