October 9, 1932 – December 12, 2015
Maurine Iris Benson Ozment, passed away Dec. 12, 2015, at age 83. She was born in Logan, Utah, to Joseph Marvin and Louise Moser Benson Oct. 9, 1932. She was married to Richard Deen in 1956 and later divorced. She then married Arnold Ozment in 1978.
Maurine was an active member of the LDS church, having served many years sharing her musical talents. She has composed music since a young age. In the 1960s, the church published several of her songs in the Children’s Songbook. One of her songs is the internationally beloved and renowned “Hello Song.” Her last publication was “Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon” with her best friend, Marilyn Arnold.
Maurine attended BYU on a vocal scholarship, being accepted into the famed a cappella choir. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from BYU. Later she earned her master’s degree from Utah State University.
Maurine taught in public schools in Phoenix, Arizona; Stockton, California; and Ogden, Utah. She also taught piano at BYU Hawaii; and Gordon College and Mercer University, both in Georgia. She was a private piano teacher since 1957.
Maurine was a member of the Music Teachers Association chapters in California, Utah, Arizona, Georgia and Colorado. She was also a member of Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Sorority. Maurine was instrumental in the formation of the Kappa chapter of Simada, a study group, in Washington, Utah.
She appeared frequently as piano soloist, having performed the American premiere of “The Piano Concerto” by the Yugoslavian composer Radjicic. She has left a rich musical legacy for her children and grandchildren.
Maurine is survived by her sister, Sharron Brim (Larry) of Provo, Utah; children: Lisa Farr (Tim) of Washington, Utah; Andee Bateman (Paul) of Noblesville, Indiana; David Max Deen of Chandler, Arizona; and step-children, Lori Ozment of Mesa, Arizona; Richard Ozment (Kim) of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Robert Ozment of Sierra Vista, Arizona; Derek Ozment of Kapa’a Kauai’i, Hawaii; and daughter in-law Ann Ozment (the late Douglas Ozment) of Mesa, Arizona. She has 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arnold Devane Ozment, and son, Douglas Ozment.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held at Friday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. in the LDS Buena Vista Stake Center at 860 N. Fairway Drive, Washington, Utah.
- A visitation will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Chapel.
- Interment will be in the Ferron, Utah, cemetery the following day, Saturday, Dec. 19.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Please visit their website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.