Maryan Egan-Baker

“Amazing Woman”

September 21, 1929 - May 11, 2014

Our lovely, talented and amazing mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend, Maryan Egan-Baker passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 11, 2014. She valiantly and bravely fought multiple myeloma for twelve years, but died from complications of an infection. Despite living with cancer, she lived a full and wonderful life and the burden of this terrible disease never kept her bright, cheerful, and loving spirit down. She was always quick to laugh, had a terrific sense of humor, and her varied interests and hobbies kept her mind and wit sharp. She was a fabulous knitter and lovingly knit items for family and friends up until her death. Maryan loved music and was an accomplished pianist, actress and singer. She performed in many plays, musicals, and choruses throughout her adult life and sang in the choir at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for decades.

During her retirement years, Maryan was an active, professional genealogist and had her own small business called Family Sleuths. She loved the detective work involved in researching family histories and enjoyed traveling to fulfill her passion for genealogy. Maryan especially loved to visit Jersey in the Channel Islands.

Maryan was a devoted believer in Jesus Christ as her personal savior, and her love and faith in God gave her immeasurable strength and courage to fight her cancer. Maryan was raised in the Mormon faith and came from Mormon ancestry. However, in her late-twenties she no longer believed in the Mormon doctrine of being saved by good works, but instead believed in the Christian doctrine of being saved by the grace of God. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith on November 10, 1963 at age 33. She has been an active and loving member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for the past 45 years. Maryan lovingly raised her two daughters to be great hard-working adults all the while working full-time as an Administrative Assistant and pursuing an active theater and singing life outside of her work life. She was an enthusiastic democrat and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.

Maryan was born on September 21, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Erma Alberta Egan Baker and Ralph Doris Baker. She grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from the University of Utah in 1950 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Speech and Theater Arts. She moved to Los Angeles, California in the mid-1950’s. She met Harry Lee Kleinert in California and they married on April 12, 1958. They returned to Salt Lake City with their two young daughters in 1960. In 1977 they divorced. Maryan is survived by her two daughters, Tamson Alayne Trelstad (Mark), and Stephanie Yvonne Borders (Ross Robert, III); brother Leland Ralph Baker (Mary Ann); five grandchildren, Nathan Alexander Trelstad, Alec Christopher Trelstad, Sarah Ivey Borders, Samantha Lee Borders, Ross Robert Borders, IV (Robby); nephew Gordon Ralph Baker (Christine) and niece Susan Baker Kramer (Steve). Preceded in death by parents, Erma Alberta Egan Baker and Ralph Doris Baker.

Special thanks to the Huntsman Cancer Center, and Dr. John Ward for excellent management and care of Maryan’s multiple myeloma for the past 12 years which enabled her to live a full, fun and rich life despite the health challenges of her disease.

Special thanks and gratitude to Timothy L. Vincent who has been Maryan’s devoted housemate. Tim’s loyal friendship, love and care for Maryan enabled her to remain independent and living in her home, especially during the past five years as her health slowly declined. He lovingly prepared her meals, took her to countless doctor appointments, accompanied her on numerous travel excursions, and shared her passion for genealogy research.

A memorial service and celebration of Maryan’s life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 11:00 am at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, Maryan requested that donations be made in her name to the Chancel Choir at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.evans-earlymortuary.com.