Mary Ann Kirkbride

Mary Ann Kirkbride was born on March 25, 1927, in Clifton, Idaho, to George LeRoy Walker and Ellen Elizabeth Hess Walker. She came from a family of nine children and was preceded in death by all of her siblings.

Mary met the love of her life, Bill Kirkbride, in Preston, Idaho, while working alongside his sister Ardella in a small department store. As Daddy always said, he “found his million-dollar baby in a five and ten cent store.” They fell in love and were married in Clifton on April 15, 1946. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple.

Throughout their marriage, Mary and Bill lived in various places before ultimately settling in Clearfield, Utah, where they raised their five spirited daughters. Their home was always filled with love, laughter, and the joyful chaos that comes from a life well-lived and fully embraced.

Mary was a natural prankster and a big believer in adventure, creativity, and a little mischief. Her legendary pranks—whether dipping soap in chocolate for April Fools’, hiding in closets to startle Daddy, or chasing squeamish family members with a fish head—became family lore. She was also the embodiment of warmth and welcome. Everyone who met her felt valued, seen, and loved.

She believed in savoring life’s moments—sometimes literally. "Eat dessert first" wasn’t just her philosophy; it was her lifestyle. It was not uncommon to wake up to the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies for breakfast. Her homemade caramels and toffee were famous, and even after she could no longer make them herself, she kept the tradition alive by gifting boxes of See’s Chocolates to every visitor.

Mary had an uncanny ability to make friends wherever she went. Alongside Bill, she served a mission in St. George, Utah, where her circle of friends expanded once more. Their time as snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona, with Bill’s family, was filled with laughter, bike rides, shuffleboard, plays, dog races, and—of course—more friendships. Together, Mary and Bill served faithfully as ordinance workers in the Ogden Temple and held numerous callings as devoted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Their love story was one of beauty and devotion. It wasn’t unusual to find Daddy twirling Mary around the living room floor, lost in their own romantic world. Wherever Mary was, the air seemed to sparkle with her enthusiasm for life.

She was a second mother to many, a beloved friend to countless, and a shining light to all. Her busy hands crocheted many beautiful gifts. Gratitude and optimism defined her outlook—she firmly believed that joy came from choosing to see the good.

In later years, Mary and Bill moved to Centerville, where she again found and made new friends. After Daddy’s passing, she carried on with strength and grace, though her heart ached for her sweetheart. Even after suffering a stroke at the age of 96, Mary was determined to recover, and she did so with resilience and a positive spirit that continued to touch everyone at Fairfield Village in Layton, where she spent her final two years.

As with all truly great love stories, the final chapter was beautifully timed. On his birthday, Daddy came to dance her into eternity.

Mary is preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill, her infant son Reynold, and three sons-in-law: Delbert Martin, Craig Karren, and Jeff Jensen.

She leaves behind a legacy that includes her five daughters: Marilee Martin, Kristie Karren, Leesa Washburn (Mike Washburn), Jill Chandler (Mark Chandler), and Holly Reid (Bruce Reid). She was a wonderful grandmother to her 23 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was truly the best mother anyone could hope for and has left us a legacy of joy, devotion, tenacity, and love—a legacy we promise to uphold and pass on.

Special thanks to all of her friends and wonderful caregivers at Fairfield Village.

A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday August 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd. Layton, Utah. Friends may visit family prior to services from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment will follow at the Syracuse Cemetery.

Services will be live-streamed by going to www.lindquistmortuary.com and scrolling to the bottom of Mary Ann’s obituary page.

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