MOM: Also known as the most caring, kind, strong, gracious, inspirational, loving person we will ever know and that we hope to become.

Born June 5th 1925 to Lewis and Emma Waldron, EmoLou was the first of 7 children. (She was followed by Joy, Cherril, Donna, Rex, Ruth, and RaLene.)  Mom was born in her Grandma Price’s home in Samaria on her Grandma Waldron’s birthday. Being the oldest, she was recruited to help on the farm. She learned to ride a horse Indian style, harness a team, milk the cows, mow, and run the rakes and Jackson fork. She instilled this quality of being strong and hard working into her girls.

Mom’s family lived through the great depression, but she never really knew it. They were self-sufficient and even produced their own electricity. They didn’t travel much because they had so many fun things to do at home. They had jacks, jump ropes, dolls and buggies, a baseball and bat with a field to play in, a wagon, a sleigh, and a bicycle. They even had a merry-go-round and a pond. What more did they need?  Mom also taught her girls the importance of family and doing things together. As children we spent almost every weekend with cousins.

Mom and Dad dated via horseback while in high school. Most teenagers, back then, didn’t have a car to drive. Mom married Tom Parry in 1942.  Shortly after their marriage, Dad enlisted in the Air Corps.  Mom had several jobs in many different places as Dad was moved around in the military.  She liked being a cashier the most. Mom moved home to Gwenford before their oldest daughter, Lynnette, was born.  The war was over and Dad arrived home from the service just a few hours after her birth. From this time on Mom became a stay-at-home mom. It was important to her to be there for her family when they needed her.

In 1948 Mom and Dad moved into the home that Mom still lives in. It needed a lot of work, but she was very excited to have indoor plumbing. This is where they grew their family.  EmoLou and Tom were blessed with eight children. They lost three during infancy but were still able to raise five lucky daughters: Lynnette, Julie, Cynthia, Lisa, and Michele. Mom taught her girls to be grateful for the things they had and the blessings they received. She always wanted us to look neat and clean, so she spent hours washing and ironing clothes.  She even ironed our jeans. Every morning before school, our hair was combed and our ears checked. We grew up knowing that we were important and loved. We knew that when we needed her, Mom would absolutely be there. 

Mom is still in the business of supporting her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. For many years she has watched dance recitals, basketball, football, wrestling, plays, and school performances. She loves having her family around.  She still sometimes tends great grandchildren. She even gets down on the floor and plays with them. She plays jacks, hula hoops, kicks the ball around, and even has indoor snowball fights. SHE IS A FUN GREAT-GRANDMA! (Just a note: Mom can still hula hoop better than most of us.)

Mom loves the Lord and has served in many positions in the church.  She was in Primary, Relief Society, and Young Women.  She saw that her daughters were taught the gospel. She made sure that we memorized our primary program parts and talks and always encouraged us to be prepared and do our best.

Mom has a way of making people feel welcome.  Her home is always clean and ready for company.   She always worries about having something to eat just in case someone stops by the house and is hungry. When she is baking a wonderful aroma fills the air, and her fresh bread and rolls are a favorite of her children and grandchildren. Homemade donuts and vinegar taffy were some of her daughter’s favorite treats. Mom occasionally tried to teach her children and their friends how to make and pull taffy.  However, Mom’s hands could handle the “heat”, and she could start pulling before anyone else could even touch their taffy, so hers was always better. Even at almost 100 she still has treats in the house for visitors, especially the great-grandkids.  Nobody leaves Mom’s house hungry.

EmoLou always grew a large garden and harvested it. Helping in the garden was another learning experience for her girls.  She canned all kinds of fruits, vegetables, meat, and made the best dill pickles ever. 

Mom was a great example of caring and sharing. She would generously share her garden’s harvest with friends and neighbors. She was always taking food into someone who might be needing a little extra help. She cared for her aging parents and we often went with her to clean their house.  She sent coats and boots to school because she noticed children that were in need.

The Parry family has long had the tradition of going camping for a week every summer. It started at Redfish Lake with some of Mom’s family and then moved to Island Park which was a little closer and warmer. This time together has been a favorite for everyone.  There is crawdad hunting, tubing, skiing, and riding wave runners, which is mom’s favorite.  There is also  lots of good food and fun around the campfire. The grandkids love to tell stories about playing the yawning game with Grandma, her unique way of getting the smoke to move away from her, and how she melted her shoes while warming her toes. 

Mom’s family has grown exponentially. She has 5 children, 19 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren, and 15 great-great grandchildren. Add 33 spouses to that and family gatherings are pretty large.

Mother has always been hard-working, loving, and busy. Maybe the reason she is still healthy and living on her own is because she is always on the go. She will be 100 on June 5th, and she is still hard to keep up with.