Kathryn Ruth McNair Burton

Kathryn Ruth McNair Burton, age 77, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025.

Kathy was born on December 29, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Daniel McNair and Ruth Rich McNair. She had a happy childhood in Holladay, Utah, babysitting neighbor kids and taking the bus with siblings and friends to the movies or the pool. She graduated from Skyline High, then attended the University of Utah, graduating in Education with an emphasis on Home Economics.

She taught at Hawthorne Elementary, then stayed home to raise her young children, Melanie, Stephanie, Kimberly, and DJ, before returning to teaching. Kathy taught first, second, and third grades for many, many years at Crescent Elementary School in Sandy, Utah. It was her desire from a young age to be a teacher, and she knew how to talk to kids and make them feel special. Her beloved area of focus was as a Reading Specialist, helping struggling children improve their reading skills; in her entire teaching career she had only five students she didn’t raise to grade level or higher. Out of her love for kids and reading, she volunteered many hours tutoring both neighborhood and school children, before and after retirement. Kathy won PTA Educator of the Year at Crescent Elementary in 1990 and retired after 30 years as a Utah educator, leaving many students who loved her throughout the years.

As a hostess at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Kathy was proud to volunteer her time and loved interacting with the visitors there. She loved her dogs as companions over the years, and more recently, enjoyed watching the hummingbirds in her flower garden. She was also a dedicated Utah Jazz fan, avidly following games and players. Quilting was her favorite hobby, and she created dozens of beautiful quilts and afghans throughout her life, attending block-of-the-month classes and sewing gifts for family and friends.

Kathy will especially be remembered for her love for her children and grandchildren. She always welcomed them to visit anytime, especially Sunday dinners and holidays, and showered them with gifts and delicious, abundant meals. Her heart was generous and loving toward her family, and she will be greatly missed.

Kathy is survived by her daughters, Melanie Burton, Stephanie Burton and Kim (Adam) Laing, her son DJ (Brenda) Burton, brother Jim (Sharon) McNair, and sister Sue (Jerry) Kartchner. She has ten wonderful grandchildren: Nya, Kamryn, Kai, Kiki, Joey, Eleanor, Chloe, Daniel, Hal, and Gracie. She is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Ruth McNair, and her brothers, Doug and Dan McNair.

The family wishes to thank the compassionate caretakers who helped ease the last weeks of Kathy’s life, and especially her daughter, Stephanie.

Funeral services will be held on Monday October 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Willowcreek 3rd Ward, 2400 Alta Canyon Dr., Sandy, Utah. Family and friends may visit Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service.

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial at Layton, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.