Thelma Jean Rowley

Thelma Jean Rowley, 84, passed away January 8, 2026, in Monroe, Utah. She was born June 1, 1941, in Richfield, Utah, to Ruth Roskelley and William Herman Rowley. She was the second child in the family, following her sister Ann. Ten years later, after many prayers by both girls, her younger sister Marjorie was born.

Jean grew up in a safe, secure, and loving family. She attended school in Richfield, graduating from Richfield High in 1959. In the fall of that year, she enrolled at Utah State University in Logan and excelled in her chosen field. Upon graduation, she received degrees in elementary and secondary education, as well as a minor in psychology. Jean was a master teacher. She taught her first year in Richfield at Ashman Elementary. She later transferred to the Granite School District in the Salt Lake City area and excelled as a teacher there. She had an extraordinary talent with children in special education, who benefited from her loving discipline and understanding. 

Jean was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a ward Relief Society president in a large Salt Lake Valley singles ward. Her life changed when, unfortunately, she suffered a severe back injury, which ended her teaching career. 

She moved back home to Richfield to convalesce. Although she was never able to return to the classroom, she continued teaching in other capacities. She was an instructor with the local family history center and a genealogy instructor in her ward. She spent many years working in the Primary and also provided private tutoring to children who needed extra help and encouragement. 

Jean's life of service also included caring for her parents for more than 20 years as they aged. She was the go-to person for any neighbor who needed help or just needed a friend. She was a wonderful, loving aunt to all of her six nieces and nephews, and she helped care for her sister Marjorie’s children, who grew up just a few blocks away. 

Jean is survived by her sister Ann and brother-in-law Jerry Smith of Las Vegas, NV; sister Marjorie and brother-in-law Van Waggoner of Anchorage, AK; nieces and nephews: Rebecca (Jeromy) Cole, Stephen Smith, Lela Stevenson, Thayne (Shevaun) Hacking, and Tanielle Waggoner; great-nieces and nephews: Julia, James, Alex, Caspian, Danica, Kira, Makenna, and Ellora. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her nephew Richard Smith and her brother-in-law David Hacking.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 11:00 am in the Richfield City Cemetery. 
Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, & Manti
An Online guestbook: www.maglebymortuary.com