Mary Lynn (Ferguson) Heaton

Mary Lynn Ferguson Heaton, 85, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 20, 2022 at Riverway Assisted Living in South Jordan.

She was born December 31, 1936 in Provo, Utah, interrupting a New Year’s Eve party.  She was the second of eight children born to Mary Boardman and Norman Edward Ferguson. 

Her family lived in various places when she was a young child, eventually returning to Provo. She graduated from Provo High School, attended LDS Business College, and worked at the Genealogy Library, now known as the Family History Library.

She married George Wilson Heaton May 31, 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of nine children, their last daughter Coral being born as a “last hurrah” when Mary Lynn was 48 and George was 55.

Their legacy also includes dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

After more than 61 years of marriage, her beloved husband George preceded her in death on December 15, 2018. Now, after nearly four years apart, they are reunited forever.

Mary Lynn enjoyed spending time with her family, including going on camping trips, road trips, and other adventures, many caused by vehicle breakdowns and other exciting mishaps. She hosted her large family at annual gatherings on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, in addition to being actively involved in the popular Heaton reunions every summer.

Mary Lynn loved reading, especially to her children and grandchildren. She won awards for her poetry writing and public speaking. She was an avid gardener, seamstress, photographer, and scrapbooker. She enjoyed making her children work in the garden to grow, harvest, and can fruits and vegetables. She was known for baking her fabulous dinner rolls and also loved making Christmas candy. She loved playing card games and board games and collecting dolls, books, miniatures, toys, and other fun things.

Mary Lynn instilled in her children a lifelong love of learning by encouraging them to discover and develop a variety of talents and endeavors, including swimming, music, and technology.

Mary Lynn was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings, including with her husband as ward librarians for many years. She enjoyed family history and was an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Mary Lynn worked hard to pass along her legacy of faith to her children. She often asked them, “Well, did you pray about it?”

Mary Lynn also enjoyed making new friends and cherished her time spent at the Mount Olympus Senior Center, as well as at the Riverway care center where she spent her last few months.

Mary Lynn is survived by her nine children and their spouses: Kevin (Suzanne) Heaton of Sandy, Utah; Lorna Heaton of Oregon; Arlin (Marianne) Heaton of West Jordan, Utah; Lydia (John) Wimber of Prescott Valley, Arizona; Byron (Tammy) Heaton of North Bend, Oregon; Trudy (Gordon) Peck of Roosevelt, Utah (serving a mission in Sierra Leone, Africa); Penny (Jeff) Richards of Cedar City, Utah; Marla (Rich) McMaster of Beaver, Utah; and Coral (Chaz) Gibbons of Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Survivors also include 37 grandchildren and their families (31 great-grandchildren in total). The grandchildren, listed along with their spouses and children, are as follows: Andrew and Laura Heaton; Christopher and Ashlee Heaton and Chris’s son Samuel; Alaric Young and children Alaya and Abram; Christel (Chris) Ward and children Hannah, Aaron, and Oceanna; Joshua (Cathy) Smyth and sons George and Liam; Amber (LeeRen) Flory and daughter Jade; Desiree Johnson; Elizabeth Heaton; Sarah Rivera and children Shaelynn and Anthony; Carina (John) Carlsen; Dylan (Chaiya) Wimber and children Evelyn and Atticus; Chelsea Wimber; Alix Wimber; Nicholas Heaton; Katrina Heaton; Keeley Heaton; Stacie (Tyson) Bailey and children Addelynn, Maddison, and Jaxton, plus stepchildren Kyle Bailey and Cole Bailey; Heather (Taylor) Quass and children Gabriel, Lucas, and Eliza; Cynthia (Zack) Terry and son August; Nathan (Noppasorn “Toey”) Peck and children Cooper and Lemon; Stephanie (Bryandt) Auman and daughters Ayanna and Olivia; Joshua (Andrea) Peck and children Parker, Amarra, Benjamin and Sacoya; Richard Peck; Brooklyn (Kylan) Heiner and sons Remy, Sam and Enzo; River (Caleb) Park; London Richards; Indiana Richards; Geneva Richards; Rachel (Dalyn) Dalton; Lydia McMaster; Lucy McMaster; Wynn Gibbons; Eleanor Gibbons, Jack Gibbons, James Gibbons; Felix Gibbons; and Benedict Gibbons.

Mary Lynn is also survived by her siblings Bonnie (Jay) Jeffery, Pollyanna (Arthur) Enke, Helen Jill Fritchen, Norman Kelly (Crystal) Ferguson, and Sylvan Guy (Susan) Ferguson, brother-in-law Alan Madsen, and their families.

Those preceding Mary Lynn in death include her parents, two of her siblings, Robert Hilton Ferguson and Nelly Jane Madsen, and one grandchild, Crystal Gomes.

Funeral services are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the Valley View 12th Ward chapel, 2125 East Evergreen Ave., Salt Lake City, with Bishop Andrew Neff presiding. Viewings will be held at the church from 6-8 p.m. Friday and before the services starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.

After the funeral services, interment will follow at Mountain View Memorial Estates at 3115 E. Bengal Boulevard. To leave online condolences or for other information visit Holbrook Mortuary website.

The family would like to thank Mom’s friends, neighbors, caregivers, and medical providers who provided love, assistance, and support over the past few years. Special thanks to nurse Meg at Atlas Home Health and Hospice, the staff at Riverway Assisted Living, and the Valley View 12th Ward and Relief Society.