Mary B Wheelwright

"In the hearts of those who loved you, you will always be there."-Orion Carlotto

Our beloved mother, grandmother, wife, and friend Mary B. Wheelwright was called home July 25, 2025. Mary was born March 24,1938, to parents John Francis Smyth and Bertha Mary Spencer in Ogden, Utah.

Mary graduated from Saint Joseph Catholic School, during which she met the love of her life Ray Wheelwright. Upon their first meeting Mary told her mother she had just met the boy she was going to marry. They were later wed on April 26, 1958, and spent the next 67 years happily married. They settled in Washington Terrace where they raised three daughters, Christine (Bill) Kolp, Cathy (Mike) Stuart, and Mary Beth (Brad) Hart.

Returning to the workforce, when her youngest started school, Mary worked for the Bank of Utah as a branch manager for 17 years. Eventually Mary started work at the IRS for a short time until she was offered a job at Hill AFB. She started at Hill as a maintenance support specialist in the machine shop, alongside her husband. She was promoted and spent her final years as an assistant to the general. She retired in 2000 and always had the greatest stories of her time in the workforce.

Mary had many hobbies she enjoyed in life. It was not unusual to find her working on a project. Whether it was sewing something spectacular for her girls or grandkids, painting beautiful landscapes or wood cutouts for the holidays, crocheting a new blanket, or reading a great book, Mary always had something to do.

Mary was very proud of the 1930 Ford Model A Standard Sedan that Ray restored. Mary and Ray were original members of the Beehive Model A Club, where they spent time traveling in the Model A, driving in parades, and attending car shows. Mary's favorite story to tell was about a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Many of the club members had driven into the park and people would stop, stare, take photos, and ask a lot of questions.

As founding members of the Ogden Valley Muzzlers, Mary and Ray spent many weekends shooting black powder muzzle loaders. She loved attending black powder shoots and getting dressed up for mountain man rendezvous. As her grandchildren grew, she often took them along teaching them to shoot and throw tomahawks.

Mary is survived by her daughters, 5 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother John Michael, and son-in-law Brad Hart.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hidden Valley Assisted Living for the kindness and compassion they showed Mary.

Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Services entrusted to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary.