Mary Louise McKenzie

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Mary Louise McKenzie

November 8, 1936 ~ December 3, 2018

Mary Louise (Davis) McKenzie, born in Keyser, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on December 3 at the age of 82.

She is survived by her husband, Bernard Earl McKenzie, daughter Lisa (David) Callahan, and son Matthew (Amy) McKenzie. She was a devoted grandmother to her four grandchildren, Lily Callahan, Hunter McKenzie, Ethan McKenzie and Raymond Callahan. She was preceded in death by her mother, Doris Anastasia Davis, father Dwight W. Davis, sisters Janice Bosley and Betty Lee (James) Scott, and brothers Forrest (Barbara) Davis, Patrick Joseph (Merrie Lou) Davis, and William (Martha) Davis.

Mary Lou was in training to be a registered nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital in Cumberland, Maryland, when a friend told her she should meet the patient in a certain room. His name was Bernard Earl McKenzie. Mary Lou and Bernie were sweethearts for several years before they began a marriage, spanning 57 years, at the Church of the Assumption in Keyser, West Virginia.

Bernie and Mary Lou moved to Salt Lake City in 1965. They raised their children in Cottonwood Heights and Sandy. They lived their lives to the fullest, exemplifying the high value they placed on their faith, family, and friends.  

Even though she retired from caring for others as a registered nurse soon after the birth of her first child, Mary Lou never stopped caring for her immediate/extended family and friends in a manner that was second to none in the devotion and dedication she demonstrated every day in countless ways.

Mary Lou spent most of her time helping others, and in her spare time enjoyed making the world a more beautiful place by planting/cultivating countless colorful flowers in many home gardens that flourished over the years. She will be dearly missed, but the seeds of love she planted in our hearts will grow and bloom forever. Rest in peace, beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother and best friend.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on December 15, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 E. Creek Road, Sandy. A celebration of life reception will follow immediately after. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 275 U St., Salt Lake City, after the reception.

Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. Please share your photos and memories of Mary Lou with her family at www.starksfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Mary Lou’s name.