Kay Mulleneaux

It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness we share that Kay Mulleneaux passed peacefully on November 6, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Kay was born on May 6, 1954, to LaRue Wixom and Wesley Kent Mulleneaux in Tooele, Utah. She was raised in Layton, Utah, later residing in Hyde Park, Utah. She was a devoted and loving mother to her three children: Joshua Cooper, Tyler Cooper, and Lyndsay Cooper. She was a fun and adventurous grandmother to 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Kay was a lifelong learner with many hobbies, always trying her hand at something new. She had a knack for teaching herself many things including breadmaking, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, basket weaving, pressing flowers, making handmade paper, taking pottery classes, and gardening - but her favorite craft was sewing. Her grandchildren all have many beautifully sewn Christmas stockings as a result, and a loving memory of them being stuffed full by her at Christmas time. Kay was also very practical; if something needed to be done, she taught herself how. She replaced her own garbage disposal, helped build her own garage, kept a woodworking shop in her garage where she made wooden valances, and refinished furniture, mainly antiques. Her home was filled with all the beautiful things she made.
Kay was a talented pianist; some of her children's favorite memories are of her sitting at the piano with them surrounding her, all singing through her favorite Christmas carols. Many Saturday mornings she could be heard practicing classical pieces, her favorite being Pachelbel's Canon in D. Her love for music was infused in everything she did, she had an artist or song for every situation and mood; she passed that love of music down to her children and grandchildren.
She was always up for an adventure; the first to get on a rollercoaster, the one to suggest we play games, go on a trip, travel. She loved playing card games like cribbage, and twice a year she traveled to fun destinations to meet her siblings, JoAnn, Craig, and Duane, for a weekend of pinochle. She enjoyed the outdoors - she loved to go camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and was a self-professed beach bum. She was always prepared and thoughtful - with a book to read, a list, and a plan. She had a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh; she loved using sarcasm to get her points across. She also loved any excuse to eat dark chocolate.
Kay had a deep passion for literacy; an accomplished reader, she made her way through an impressive number of books – mainly non-fiction. She enjoyed true crime, but especially loved reading memoirs of people whose lives reflected resilience and courage. She volunteered her time in adult literacy and ESL programs. She was often found sitting on her deck, overlooking her beautiful flower gardens, reading an autobiography with a cup of coffee in hand.
She retired from Pepperidge Farm after 37 years of service and enjoyed traveling and volunteering her time. She loved Gordon Ramsay's Top Chef and knew almost every answer during Jeopardy.
We find comfort in knowing she is at peace, her garden ever in bloom, and her story forever a part of ours.
Kay's family will honor her with a celebration of life on January 1, 2026, at 5:30pm at Desert Lily Gardens in Smithfield, Utah. We invite any of her friends to join us as we gather to reflect, share stories, and remember the beautiful life Kay shared with us all.