Mary Ann Tanner Barnett

1942 - 2025

Mary Ann Tanner Barnett

November 22, 1942 ~ December 8, 2024

Cedar Hills, UT-On December 8, 2024, our beloved Mary Ann, a devoted wife, adored mother, grandmother, and dear friend, peacefully stepped into eternity, surrounded by her loving husband and family. Her warmth and kindness will be profoundly missed and forever cherished.

Mary Ann was born on November 22, 1942, to Dr. Wilmer Tanner and Helen Brown Tanner. Raised in Provo, Utah, alongside her two brothers, she also spent part of her childhood in Lawrence, Kansas, while her father pursued a Ph.D. in zoology. Her youth was filled with a love for nature-she especially delighted in butterflies, hummingbirds, tulips, and sunflowers. As the daughter of a zoologist, she enjoyed many days at the Bean museum at BYU and accompanied her parents on research trips, fostering a lifelong curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.

While attending Provo High School, Mary Ann met Dennis Andrew Barnett, a student at Pleasant Grove High School. Their love story began at the senior hop and blossomed at BYU, culminating in their marriage and sealing in the Salt Lake City Temple on July 12, 1963. At Brigham Young University, Mary Ann was a homecoming queen candidate and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Secondary Education and Business Teaching. After graduation, she supported Dennis through his MBA studies at USC in Los Angeles, California, while also teaching English, typing, and business in middle school.

Mary Ann's most treasured role began in 1968 with the birth of her daughter, Chele (Ann Rochele). Her family grew with the additions of Andrea Lynne in 1970, Clark Webster in 1973, and Alison Denise in 1975. Through moves to California, Nebraska, Denver, Colorado, Sandy, and Lindon, Utah, Mary Ann's steadfast love and support guided her family.

A woman of many talents, Mary Ann found joy in gardening, reading, crocheting, toll painting, and spending time by the ocean-especially in Oceanside, California. She was a loyal BYU sports fan and attended countless football, basketball, and baseball games. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she enjoyed in serving as a visiting teacher, seminary teacher, and Primary president. In her later years, she and Dennis served in the Charleston Branch. Mary Ann took pride in her pioneer heritage and her involvement as president of her Daughters of Utah Pioneers chapter.

Mary Ann's greatest joy and fulfillment came from her family. She treasured her roles as wife, mother, and Nana, faithfully attending her children's and grandchildren's milestones and activities. She and Dennis spent countless hours cheering at soccer matches, tennis games, cheerleading events, ultimate frisbee tournaments, basketball games, ballroom dance competitions, musicals, plays, and recitals. She lovingly hand-stitched Christmas stockings for her children, their spouses and grandchildren and crocheted blankets for each grandchild. To stay close to her grandchildren, she worked in the library at Cedar Ridge Elementary School.

Mary Ann loved celebrating holidays and birthdays, especially Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and Halloween. A talented cook, she hosted unforgettable family gatherings and swim parties at Nana and Papa's house. She also cultivated lifelong friendships with Bev and Jim Frannea, John and Louise Dalton, Bob and Susan Anderson, Eldon and Janice Fortie, David and Lucy Shoell, Paul and Deon Coon, Jim and Kathy Griffiths and Donna and Barry Bender. She relished playing card games with friends and family and found peace up American Fork Canyon sitting by campfires, listening to the rustling trees and babling creeks.

A hallmark of Mary Ann's life was her unconditional love. She saw the best in everyone and radiated positivity despite enduring chronic pain and the challenges of multiple back and shoulder surgeries and stage 4 cancer treatments. Her famous hugs offered strength and comfort to all who received them. She celebrated life's milestones with her family, attending baptisms, graduations, mission farewells and homecomings, weddings, and the births of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents and sister. She is survived by her devoted husband, Dennis; her children, Chele (Randy) Head, Andrea (Mike) Barry, Clark (Sun Choe) Barnett, and Alison (Jason) Rose; her brothers, Lynn and David; 16 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

The Barnett family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the friends, neighbors, and Cedar Hills 13th Ward members who offered their unwavering support, providing meals, companionship and care for Mary Ann and Dennis, including walking their beloved dog, Vinnie, and assisting with unexpected needs any hour day and night.

A celebration of Mary Ann's extraordinary life will be held on January 17, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Cedar Hills East Stake Center, 3950 W Cedar Hills Dr, Cedar Hills, UT 84062.