Ina Jean Squires passed away on April 19, 2020 with her husband, Jack, by her side. Jean lived a life full of love and service as a mother, teacher, and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was born on August 10, 1932 in Mountain Home, Utah, to Adelbert Mecham and Ina Lizzie Hanberg. She was the youngest of their six children and their only daughter. In writing about her life, Jean said she always felt deeply loved by her family, and later in life she often recalled with laughter the gentle teasing she received from her older brothers.
She loved growing up in a small town where most everyone knew each other and had farming in common. Her father was a dairy farmer, but also owned and operated a school bus. Attending a small high school, Altamont High School, gave Jean the opportunity to be involved in many activities: marching band, choir, cheerleader, school plays, yearbook, student body president and winning the Miss Uintah Basin crown. She won a scholarship to the University of Utah, and later transferred to Brigham Young University. While a student there she married Jack Squires, on June 11, 1953. They had five children. And at the time of her death Jean and Jack had been married for 66 years.
After marrying, she attended Utah State University, graduating with a degree in child development and elementary education. When her youngest child entered elementary school Jean began working outside the home as a second-grade teacher in the Peoria Unified School District. She taught for 21 years, most of them at Heritage Elementary School.
Throughout her adult life Jean served in various assignments in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregations she attended. She was a leader of the young women’s organization and as a teacher, among many other assignments. After her retirement she and Jack served two missions for the Church, back to back, spending almost five years in Africa. The first mission was to Durban, South Africa and the second to Enugu, Nigeria. She also loved to travel, including to Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and around the United States.
She is survived by her husband, John Fell “Jack” Squires of Mesa, Arizona; and her five children: Bradley Squires of Las Vegas, Nevada; Lori Ohmart of Strawberry, Arizona; Tamara Whiting of Mesa, Arizona; Marie Chase of Ogden, Utah; and Michael Squires of Gilbert, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Books for Africa booksforafrica.org, in memory of Jean Squires.
Condolences