Relief Society Activity! (2/23)

 

Relief Society Spotlight: Mary Newman Solt

             (Spotlight by Diane Smith) 

            Mary was the second of the first daughters born to Elmo & Carrie Newman at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Along with her twin sister Margaret, three additional girls and one brother joined their parents and grandmother in a three-bedroom house in the area affectionally known as Swede Town. At the age of eight Mary’s father took a job at Atomic Energy out of Idaho Falls and the family relocated to Ririe, Idaho, a part of the Idaho Falls Metropolitan statistical area. Mary completed her freshman year of high school before her family returned to Swede Town. Unfortunately, after two years her parents again decided Idaho was the place for them. With only her senior year at West remaining, Mary opted to stay with her grandmother.

There were possibly additional motives to linger, one which included a group of familiars who had bonded during their teenage years. They were all in the same ward, so it was a natural that the young women would cheer the young men at their basketball games and in return they would support the young ladies. When one did something, they all joined in. In fact, two couples from that group ended up getting married. There was also one of these young men who slowly gained the attention of Mary. His name was Glen Solt. When exactly their relationship changed from platonic to romantic is undocumented. However, being two years older Glen didn’t waste any time once they gave discussion to marriage and on Christmas of her senior year, Glen surprised her with a diamond ring.

As graduation approached a housing dilemma occurred. Mary’s grandmother had agreed to allow four other grandchildren to take up residence in her home once school let out. Thus, Mary’s options were limited. She could sleep on the couch, or she and Glen could get married. Fortunately, Grandmother had a smaller unoccupied home nearby that would be perfect for newlyweds. So in June 1959, just two weeks after high school graduation, Mary Newman and Glen Solt were married in the Salt Lake Temple. There were fifty-two brides being married that day, which caused much anxiety to the parents who were waiting impatiently outside.

Shortly after high school, Glen and his brother went into business as cement contractors. For thirty years Glen worked as a cement finisher until an opportunity arose for him to become a physical facilities manager for the church. He retired from that position when he was 62. Mary on the other hand didn’t enter the professional world until her twins had reached school age. She worked for 28 years as an insurance agent for Deseret Mutual.

Children came quickly to the two. Dennis arrived a year after marriage followed by John, Susan, Joey, twins Matt and Mark, then Andy. The biggest shock of all was their last. In her 42^nd year Mary went in for a standard physical only to find that she was pregnant. While Glen was overjoyed, Mary cried for two months straight. However, Andy was a wonderful blessing the moment he entered mortality. 

For two people who had no religious instruction during their youth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ molded them individually, as a couple, and as fellow Saints. Thanks to good friends and church mentors, their pledge to a temple marriage was the beginning of a lifetime commitment. Even before adjusting to married life, Glen was called to the Elders Quorum Presidency and Mary as a Primary teacher in their ward. Mary claims they were two unassuming souls who loved each other and always tried to do their very best in whatever task that was given them. Apparently, the Lord knew the integrity of their hearts as Glen served in six bishoprics and a stake presidency.  His first assignment as bishop was in Swede town where he served until the ward was dissolved due to decline in membership. His next calling as bishop was to a singles branch. This responsibility was most challenging for Mary. This was before the consolidated meeting schedule and she was asked by the Stake President to attend her home ward for Sunday School with the children and then bring them to Sacrament Meeting at the branch. Fortunately, this opportunity only lasted for approximately 18 months when he was then called as bishop of the 19^th Ward. At the time of his death, he was serving as Executive Secretary to Bishop Scott Christensen.

 

In addition to Glen’s ecclesiastical demands as well as the charge of raising seven children, Mary was not sitting idly by. She too was called to serve three times as Relief Society President, twice as Primary and Young Women’s President as well as in the Stake Relief Society and Young Women’s Presidencies. There were many callings that were less time consuming though fulfilled with the same robust resolve.

Glen and Mary had the opportunity to serve a mission at the LDS Hospital for 18 months. Glen served as first counselor and their responsibility was to visit various patients and invite them to attend Sacrament meeting or partake of the Sacrament if unable to be moved. Relief Society and Priesthood were also provided to the patients.

Mary and Glen raised their seven children in what originally was a two-bedroom home with one bathroom. Eventually two additional bedrooms were added in the attic to accommodate the boys. Fortunately, the two oldest ones were gone by the time the younger boys were in need.

While Mary went from high school to marriage, she did take courses in Home Economics which definitely benefited her. She received the highest score of all the homemaking students during her time at West.

Despite devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, mortality’s tribulations did not escape the Solt family. In 1991 son Joey lost his battle with addiction and in December of 2017 John’s life was taken in a house fire. Even more difficult for Mary has been the loss of her dear sweet Glen who passed away in January of 2018. The home they shared for 59 years now seems large and vacant. Nights are particularly wrenching as loneliness seeks to remind her of his absence.

Yet Mary chooses not to dwell on what cannot be changed. To know Mary, is to love her. She is constantly going about doing good, though if complimented she responds, “I’m just Mary,” meaning she is just doing what would be excepted from a daughter of God.

Mary’s passion is her posterity consisting of seven children, 15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.   Her offspring particularly keep a close watch on Mom. Susan, who lives in Washington, and she talk every night, and the boys make sure that everything is in operating condition along with frequent visits to keep her spirits up. One special experience occurred in November when her great granddaughter took out her endowments and invited Mary to join parents and grandparents. She felt very blessed to be included in this sacred occasion.

Mary considers service a passion, yet in reality that is what defines her. Cards are sent frequently, and kind words come freely. If there is an event, Mary will be there early to help with her food donation in hand. Three times a week she drives up to Roy to help care for her twin Margaret and husband Benny who suffer from dementia and Parkinson, respectively. She also corresponds regularly with a brother and two sisters in Idaho. Since Glen’s departure, Mary has done over 700 ordinances in the temple. She enjoys ministering, though one of her dear neighbors died in December and another moved. But gratefully she is still able to have one sister to visit. For years she and Glen would set aside money so at Christmas they would be able to bring a little cheer to a needy family. Mary continues this tradition. She also tries to support the missionaries as well.

Mary’s favorite color is pink, and she loves Cavanaugh’s chocolates. She enjoys Church History books, studying the gospel lessons, and some fiction. Though she used to enjoy making candy and embroidery, those skills have been set aside. Sometimes she will watch Heartland on tv or a Hallmark movie.

“Just Mary” is one who strives to live her life in harmony with the gospel teachings. While lonesomeness is a challenge, she endeavors to thwart off the adversary, who she claims enjoys making her miserable, and to always remember that Heavenly Father is mindful of her. All this in hopes one day to be reunited with her eternal companion.

What a blessing this great woman is to all of us!

Relief Society Spotlight: Cherry Humpherys Gott

(Spotlight by Diane Smith) 

Cherry Humpherys Gott was the middle of seven children born to Roy and Betty Humpherys in Orem, Utah. And unless you take the time to visit with her, you will never know what a talented and unique individual she is.

Once completing her secondary education at Orem High School, Cherry headed up to Rick’s College in Rexburg, Idaho in anticipation of preparation for a career in nursing. However, it didn’t take long before she discovered it wasn’t the path for her. After a semester abroad to Israel and returning to Utah County, Cherry interrupted her studies, then at BYU, to serve a mission in San Antonio, Texas, the seventh-most populous city in the United States. Upon completion of her 18^th month service, she was not quite ready to come home so instead she enrolled in the Church College of Hawaii to complete her generals.

Even though she enjoyed attending various colleges, it was important that she return to BYU to complete her degree in Elementary Education.  As one of her final electives, Cherry signed up for a golf class. The instructor paired with her just happened to be a highly recruited young man from Los Angeles and who was instrumental in helping BYU take nationals that year. His name was Erich Gott and was a newly baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though she claims not to have mastered the game of golf, there were far greater benefits to both teacher and student. This was evidenced by their marriage in the Provo Temple one year later.

Their current posterity consists of one son, three daughters, and 11 grandchildren. Each of the daughters are married and live in Utah and are accountable for all grandchildren. Their son is the one hope for additional numbers should he settle on a companion.

After Erich’s graduation in Secondary Education, both were anxious to root themselves far from Provo. Thus, when an offer came from Aurora, Colorado they quickly packed their belongings and headed east. Thirty years later Erich finally grew tired of correcting mathematical equations and opted for retirement. However, two years later he announced retirement was far overrated and search for a new adventure began.

As a young mother having taught P.E. prior to children, Cherry was concerned about staying fit. Joining a local gym created the need for active sportswear. Little did she know that her first and only purchase of a rather expensive pair of leggings would lead her to an entrepreneur opportunity. While in a fabric store, she happened upon the exact material as her recent purchase. She bought a yard of the fabric, went home and unpicked her gym pants and found that she could make two pairs out of the yardage. That was the beginning of “Gott Fit” which mass-produced and sold over 500,000 leggings with the help of a manufacturing company in Denver. She also sold 500 pairs of muscle pants one year at “A Taste of Colorado,” a yearly festival produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership held every Labor Day Weekend.

With daughters taking dance, there were costumes to be sewed and soon others were seeking her talents. An offer was subsequently presented to her by a father of one of the dancers which opened the way for her next entrepreneurship. Anxious to unload his costume shop, Cherry was able to purchase it well below market value and slowly transitioned out of “Fit” to “Gott Costumes”. For 21 years her store has been frequented for unique costumes and up until the recent pandemic has been fairly profitable. It became a family operation with her children gaining retail experience and secured employment during their high school years. She also never had to worry where they spent their free time. Between Erich and Cherry’s travels to various parts of the world, she has attempted three times to close the shop, yet each time something has kept her from doing so. However, she admits that reducing inventory and letting go will probably not keep her from frequenting thrift stores just in case there might be a great costume hiding or some embellishment that is too good to pass up. Perhaps she will also keep designing capes on request or putting the finishing touches on a needed costume for a friend or family member.

Though the makings of a wonderful life, Cherry has had her share of challenges. In 2003 she was rescued from a burning car and in 2008 she was in a horrific automobile accident that destroyed her pelvis. Six surgeries in six years all failed. Her doctor informed her there was nothing more that could be done and she would probably be confined to a wheel chair the rest of her life. Not to be deterred, Cherry heard of a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix that did extraordinary fixes on hips. She sent her x-rays and moved to Phoenix for three months were Dr. Beauchamp performed surgery on her hip with amazing results. Though she has a slight limp because of extensive nerve damage, she is grateful for her new “norm” which gives her freedom that once she thought had been lost.

After the children left home, was when Cherry and Erich started spending their summers cycling in places such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Germany, and other European countries. when Erich decided he had enough of nothing, this pastime may have been the catalyst to considering “Search Associates,” the leading recruiting agency for international teachers. After attending a Job Fair in their city, they received an offer to teach at the American School of Dubai. They spent three incredible years there with Erich teaching math and Cherry as a teaching assistant. While Cherry could have secured an actual teaching position, she opted for free time and opportunities to return to the United States whenever she was low on grandma hugs. The Gotts returned to Utah after the completion of their first international instruction to store up on family memories while awaiting their two-year assignment to India. Upon completion of their last obligation, and the pandemic raising havoc around the globe, they decided it was time again to go stateside before considering any future travel plans. Lucky for us their halfway point between Erich’s teaching job at Ogden NUAIMS and their two daughters in Utah County landed them in the 19^th Ward boundaries.

While the future is still a little nebulous, the Gotts believe in seizing the moment and enjoying family while close, making new friends, and taking in the variety of Mexican food and Crumbl cookies before they venture off again. They didn’t spend much time in movie theaters before COVID-19, yet Cherry might be enticed if there are great costumes to view in productions such as “The Greatest Showman” and “Frozen”.

Cherry loves the color green, being a grandmother, “Come Follow Me”, and the gospel. She’s happy doing the small things and is grateful to serve in the church as a teacher, camp director, missionary, or simply as a ministering sister.

Don’t expect to find her at home after 9 a.m. as Cherry tends to become claustrophobic and anxious to get out exploring. Those six years confined to a wheelchair made her realize time is of the essence and not to be wasted. So make sure you don’t misuse the opportunity to introduce yourself to Cherry and Erich.