Marykaren "Muffy" Harward

1945 - 2025

Marykaren Harward

1945 ~ 2025

In Loving Memory

Provo, UT-Marykaren "Muffy" Harward, beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away at her home in Provo, Utah, on August 27, 2025, at the age of 80, with her loving husband, Keith, by her side.

Born on June 7, 1945, in Payson, Utah, to Vada Mae Robinson and John Howard Thompson, (Stepfather Sterlin Ray Laird). Muffy grew up knowing what she wanted and worked hard to achieve it. From a young age, she was determined, strong-willed, and unafraid to stand up for what she believed was right-a quality that stayed with her throughout her life. She attended multiple high schools in Utah, where she ran track and field.

Muffy married the love of her life, Keith Thomas Harward, on January 7, 1967, in the Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortly after their marriage, Keith was sent to Vietnam, and during that time, Muffy's steadfast faith and resilience carried her through. Together, they adopted seven children, building a family grounded in love, faith, and adventure. Her deep faith guided her through every season of her journey.

She was a nurturer in every sense of the word. Muffy loved animals of every kind, often taking in stray dogs-caring for them, finding their owners, or giving them a warm place in her home. She also gave countless hours volunteering; she was recognized by former President George Herbert Walker Bush's 100 Points of Light for her volunteer services with helping others learn to read helping them to patiently build their confidence and celebrating their successes. She had a creative soul and joyful spirit, filling her days with poetry-sometimes heartfelt, sometimes delightfully silly-sketching, cooking, and baking. She had a gift for turning ordinary moments into treasured memories. Family road trips became adventures, complete with prizes every 200 miles and quizzes on state capitals-with nickels awarded for correct answers and saved for souvenirs.

A lifelong learner, Muffy attended college in her 50s driven by her love of knowledge and her desire to keep growing. She was a hard worker, a devoted wife and mother, and a woman of deep faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She will be remembered for her kindness, humor, courage, and the quiet strength that inspired all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Vada Mae Robinson; her father, John Howard Thompson; her stepfather, Sterlin Ray Laird; her brothers, Robert Leroy Laird, Raymond Lee Laird, Kenneth Melvin Laird, and Gerald Eugene Laird; and many of her beloved furry friends. She is survived by her loving husband, Keith Thomas Harward, and their children: Robin Evans, Miguel Harward, Joseph Harward, Nathan Harward, Richa(Colton) Harmon, Shaadae Harward, and Sentessa Harward.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Grandview South Stake Center, 1122 Grand Avenue, Provo, UT 84604.