Mary Louise Read

Mary Louise Read passed away on September 13, 2025, at the age of 87 in Ogden, Utah.

Mary was born on February 25, 1938, in San Francisco, California to Myrtle Beatrice Coggins Utschig and John Louis Utschig, Jr. She was the 4th of 5 children and grew up in San Mateo, California.

She attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in 1956 where she studied Elementary Education and received her bachelor’s in teaching. She taught kindergarten until she started a family of her own.

She met Lawrence Fielding Read (deceased June 6, 2017) at a church dance in Long Beach, California and married him for time and all eternity on August 25,1962 in the Los Angeles Temple in Santa Monica, California. They built a life and family together for almost 55 years until Lawrence passed away at the age of 92, a temporary separation of eight years.

Mary’s first child David was born in 1963 and by 1973 she had 4 more children, Rodney, Melissa, Lloyd and Susanne.

Mary was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served numerous callings throughout her life and dedicated her time to researching family history and temple work.

Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Her kindness and dedication to her family and family friends was noted by all. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and loved to gather with them. She loved working on many projects with her husband Larry, especially at their ranch in Bedford, Wyoming. Through these projects they taught their posterity the value of hard work.

Mary is remembered for her grace, positivity and kindness. In her own words, “We make of life what we want it to be. We can be sad, happy, or in between, it’s all up to us. I’ve found through the years that it is pretty much our choice as to our happiness. I try to look at the bright side of things - that is my choice. And that brings me much happiness.”

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 20, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the North Layton Stake Center, 1954 E. Antelope Drive, Layton, UT 84040. All are welcome.

A Graveside Service will be held on: TBD at the Inglewood Park Cemetery, 720 E. Florence Ave., Inglewood, California 90301.