Mary Marra Hyde

Marra Hyde began her life’s journey in Washington, D.C., where her father, Grant L. Hyde, was a medical student, and her mother, Mary Marra Hyde, was a nurse.  Marra spent her early childhood years in Redwood City, California, and later Madera, CA.  Marra was intelligent and inquisitive, and from an early age, an avid and voracious reader, displaying a natural gift for writing.

Marra earned a B.A. and M.A. in English from Brigham Young University.  She wrote her master’s thesis on the work of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Kiowa Native American author, N. Scott Momaday, whom she personally interviewed.  She was intimately acquainted with Shakespeare’s plays, which she taught to countless English and journalism high schoolers during her 30 year teaching career.  Her enthusiasm and love of the written word positively influenced a multitude of young scholars.

A spirit of adventure and love of travel allowed Marra to experience new places.  After college, she spent a summer traveling solo throughout Europe by train, staying in hostels.  She especially loved Italy and visited Carfizzi, home of our grandparents, where she met relatives who were so happy to meet her that soon the whole town welcomed her.  She also traveled to Australia, Tasmania, Canada, and numerous states, often visiting friends she had made in college.  She introduced her niece and nephew to the beauties of Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon. She also took our mother on a memorable Alaskan cruise.

Possessing a keen interest in other people, Marra had an uncanny ability to remember details of people’s lives, even years later.  Her friends reported that she was the one in the group who organized parties, game nights, dinner, and movie outings.  She was also president of her condo association.

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marra lived out her faith by serving in many callings such as Primary teacher, Relief Society worker, and temple worker. After retiring, she served a full-time mission in the Houston, Texas area. She loved doing genealogy, and started a blog with fascinating stories of many members of the family, which truly brought the names of ancestors alive. 

Marra is survived by her four siblings, Michele (Devon James), Leslie (Charles Birkinshaw), Grant, and James (Kulani Chesley).  She loved her nieces and nephews:  Heather, Ryan, Julie, Stephanie, Kara, Jessi, Connor, and Cheyenne.  She had grandnieces and grandnephews she adored:  Isabella, Sebastian, Katelyn, Mary, Robbie, Emily, Kahlan, Juniper, Paul, Penelope, Isla, Obie, Milo, Orion, and Quinn.  Marra will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all.

Memories can be shared at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: SaltLakeCityMission.org