Mary Atwood

Mary Naylor Atwood passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family after a two-decade long battle with Leukemia. Born in Provo, Utah on April 8, 1948, along with her twin sister, Marie, Mary is the sixth child of John and Rosella Naylor. She grew up in Provo, Utah and then moved to Price, Utah when she was 15 years old. She was an adventurous little girl who was proud that she did bold and brave things. She was very outgoing and had an infectious smile and an incredibly optimistic personality. Mary was a cheerleader at both Provo High School and Carbon High School in Price, Utah. She also cheered at the College of Eastern Utah. She attended Brigham Young University for a time but found her true passion making people beautiful as she became licensed in cosmetology and hairdressing. This proved to be a brilliant career path for her as she ended up having eight daughters.

Mary met her sweetheart, Ronald Clemont Atwood, at the age of 15 when she had car trouble in Wellington, UT and stopped at the gas station he was working at. That began a lifelong romance that ended up lasting over 55 years. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ron and Mary were sealed on December 18, 1969, in the Salt Lake Temple. Mary dedicated her life to creating a warm and nurturing home for her husband and their eight daughters. As a homemaker her sewing skills were incredible and provided her family with many years of matching pajama sets for Christmas, doll clothes for her girls, and countless quilts that will continue to wrap her loved ones with her forever hugs for years to come. Her greatest joy came from spending time with and caring for her family.

Mary's holidays, birthdays, and other gatherings were a constant and bonding element to her legacy. She had a knack for remembering every birthday, anniversary, and important date in her children's, grandchildren's, loved one's lives, never failing to send a card and make their birthday month special. The family memories and traditions she created have shaped a family unit so incredibly strong that it will endure for generations. Mary's love for nurturing things was also evident in her beautiful yard, which she devotedly tended to year after year. As something she learned from her parents, this work gave her great joy and purpose. During harvest season you would find her canning in her kitchen for hours as one of the beautiful ways she could love and sustain her growing family.

Mary was a pillar of faith to her family, always referencing beautiful gospel quotes and scripture, especially during hard times. Since the passing of her sweetheart, Ron, she frequently commented how grateful she was for the knowledge of the gospel and eternal families. She served faithfully in many callings throughout the years including relief society presidencies and young women president.

Mary's enduring legacy will continue through her 8 girls, Michelle Kearns, Tiffany (Brant) Jones, Candice (Bruce) Gardner, Heidi (Ryan) Sorenson, Tennille (Brandon) Smith, Tina Holdaway, Heather (Travis) Bandle, and Jessica (Ray) Palmer. Her 30 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren (with 3 more on the way) will forever remember the love and traditions she has engrained in their hearts. Mary also leaves behind her siblings, Bill Naylor, Bob Naylor, and Marie Mathis with whom she shared many cherished memories. She is now reunited with her beloved sweetheart, Ron, her parents and three siblings, Carol Sorenson, Clyde Naylor, and Joyce Christensen who preceded her in death.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 30th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Monday, December 1st, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Nelson Family Mortuary located at 4780 N University Ave, Provo, Utah 84604. Following the Monday viewing, funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the same location. The interment will begin 12:30 p.m. held at the Orem Cemetery located at 1520 N 800 E, Orem, Utah 84097.