Mari Kay Garrard

Gentle and kind and everlastingly concerned about others. That’s how we will remember Mari Kay Thompson Garrard. Mari left this world to join her beautiful daughter, Ashley Rose Kabir, in heaven after a brief illness.

As Mari would have said, “Isn’t that wonderful?”

Her grief with Ashley’s passing was overshadowed by her determination to help the rest of us find hope and meaning in some of life’s hardest trials. It was seldom what she said, but more often what she did that blessed our lives eternally.

She was always there to listen. Good or bad. Right or wrong. She let us spill our hearts to her without judgment. She helped us pick up the pieces, even if it was our own choices that brought heartache. She loved us unconditionally, and eternally.

Mari was born January 29, 1953 in Spokane, Washington to Betty and Norman Thompson. Her father chose her name and its unconventional spelling. He passed away when Mari was only three weeks old.

In 1954, Betty married Ken Cowan. She always used to say Ken was as in love with the darling toddler Mari as he was with her.

Mari grew up in Roy, Utah. In 1981, she married John Garrard. Their combined children include Rachel Heard, Taylorsville; Adam (Tina) Garrard, Lincoln City, Oregon; Rochelle Tipton, Clearfield; Stephanie Talcott, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Chris Garrard, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Mari is also survived by her beloved son-in-law, Shahriar Kabir, 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ashley Rose Garrard Kabir, and son-in-law Steven Heard.

Mari loved all kinds of crafts and especially spending time with Ashley and granddaughter Grace painting ceramics.

Besides her devotion to her family, she loved cats, especially her beloved Rosey and Sophie. She loved Coke (not the diet version!) and Tony’s pizza and Rainbow Gardens. She loved staying up late and watching “Gilmore Girls,” “I Love Lucy,” “Frazier,” and “Designing Women.”

She enjoyed reading but would often have to skip to the end of the story to make sure all the characters would be OK in the end before going back and reading the full novel.

She was an amazing violinist, winning awards in her high school years for her spectacular talent. She loved music of all sorts, everything from Vivaldi and classical symphonies to The Doobie Brothers and ABBA. She loved going to ballets and symphonies.

She loved taking pictures and had a deep awareness and love of the beauty around her. Pink roses, the scent of lilacs, her beautiful handwriting.

Mari was grace and beauty personified. And faith. She loved her Heavenly Father and knew her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her life was devoted to actions that illustrated that faith. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mari’s favorite calling was serving in Primary, especially when she was an activity day leader. She loved those girls!

A celebration of Mari’s life will be held Saturday, June 21 at the West Point Lakeside Stake Center, 855 N. 4000 W., West Point. A family viewing is scheduled for 9 a.m. with a public viewing following at 10. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the West Point City Cemetery, 80 N. 4000 W.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Best Friends Sanctuary - a cause that was deeply meaningful to Mari - or to your local animal shelter.

We are grateful to know that even in our sorrow, the guiding star of her love still shines upon us.

Services entrusted to Lindquist's Roy Mortuary.

ORDER VIDEOS