Mary Lou Reeder Brady

Mary Lou Reeder Brady lived a magnificent life of 79 years as a matriarch, mother, wife, friend, neighbor, educator, entrepreneur, optimist, and vibrant ray of sunshine that could brighten up any person or place. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, surrounded by her family cheering her onward and upward after a long decline from Alzheimer's.

Mary was born on September 16, 1946 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Ione Jarvis and Charles Reeder-a passionate, pioneering couple who had built a family flying service. From a young age, Mary was introduced to the thrill of chasing big dreams, the boundless possibilities of hard work, the joy of caring for community, and the awe of natural beauty. She adored skiing the majestic mountains of Sun Valley, traveling the world with her family, playing the piano with gusto, dancing on the drill team, hosting creative parties and gatherings, and making friends wherever she went. Mary graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1964 and headed to Utah State University to study Elementary Education & Child Development and chase her dream of becoming a teacher. On campus, Mary met the energetic Bob Brady, and after a long courtship, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 19, 1970. The newlyweds embarked on a grand adventure together, starting with a cross-country road trip to Binghamton, New York, where Bob had accepted a position with IBM.

Mary had started her teaching career a few years earlier at Vista Elementary School in Taylorsville, Utah, and she cared deeply for her 3rd grade students-many of whom came from challenging backgrounds. Her dedication to her students flowed far beyond the classroom as she rallied resources to ensure their physical and emotional needs were met to help them thrive at school. Mary continued teaching in Endicott, New York at Jennie F. Snapp Elementary, where she championed a classroom of diverse 2nd graders. And many years later, she returned to teaching at Bountiful Elementary School, inspiring hundreds of kindergartners and 1st graders from 1990 to 2005. Mary often said that teaching young students felt like "throwing a birthday party every day," and she delighted in creating dynamic learning environments. She was famous for hosting math camps in her basement and backyard, tutoring children in a wide range of subjects, and making learning irresistibly fun through Wacky Wednesdays and Silly Saturdays.

Mary's truest joys came from her own children-John, Bethany, Scott, and Mark; and then her grandchildren-Zachary, Brynn, Simone, Phoebe, Brontë, Porter, Sloane, Rae, Drew, Declan, and Arlo (who affectionately called her Mumbles). She was a fiercely devoted mom and grandma and poured her whole heart into her family. She loved making big pancake breakfasts (with bacon, of course:), cheering kids on at sporting and school events, having heart-to-heart conversations while strolling up Mueller Park Canyon, laughing about her kids' mischievous antics, and gathering at the Reeder family cabin in her beloved Sawtooths Mountains. Mary believed in the mantra: the more, the merrier! She had an open door policy, and everyone was always welcomed, anytime-day or night. Her children's friends flowed into the Brady household, and Mary always had food (especially chocolate chip cookies) and warm words for them. She had a magical way of making everyone feel valued, and people shined in her presence. Another gift that Mary gave to her children was the belief that absolutely anything was possible. "We can do it!" was the family motto, and Mary worked miracles and motivated her loved ones to accomplish the unfathomable.

Mary's life-long commitment to caring for others, near and far, led her to serve three missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With Bob as her companion, she shared the good news of the gospel and led humanitarian initiatives in Mukah, Malaysia; Quezon City, Philippines; and Kisumu, Kenya. Mary enjoyed all of her church callings, including Relief Society President, Young Women leader, and temple ordinance worker, and made dear friendships in her wards in New York, Texas, and Utah. She also loved being a part of her children's missions in Hungary, South Africa, Korea, and Mexico.

For her final season of life, Mary moved to St. George, Utah and found fulfillment doing family history work and connecting with her ancestors who helped build the St. George community. She also discovered a new career helping people find their dream homes amongst the stunning red rock and endless sunshine of southern Utah. The Brady family is extremely grateful for all of the friends and neighbors who continued to love Mary as she suffered from Alzheimer's. Even as her health declined, her infectious laughter and radiant smile lit up the world around her. It is heart-warming to envision Mary once again her full, exuberant self in her new home with her Heavenly Parents.

Mary was wild about all of her colorful family, including her children's partners-Casey Bishop Brady, Andy Brady Spalding, Colette Lattin Brady, and Jen Peters; her grandchildren's spouses-Cassidy and Preston; her siblings-Richard, John, Barbara, and Robert; her sister-in-laws and brother-in-law-Marilyn, Gail, Charlene, Judie, Kathy, and Preston; and her fun-loving nieces and nephews.

To commemorate her big-hearted life, we invite you to donate to the Davis School District Foundation to install "buddy benches" on Bountiful Elementary's playground-helping students find a friend when they need one. Her legacy of making everyone feel welcome lives on!

The Mary Reeder Brady Memorial Fund:
https://dsdgive.net/event/6974

We also invite you to join us at any of these events to celebrate Mary (bright colors encouraged):

Evening Viewing

Friday, December 19th, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Spilsbury Mortuary
110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah

Morning Viewing

Saturday, December 20th, 2025 from 9:30am to 10:30am
Green Valley 8th Ward LDS Chapel
1282 West 500 South Circle, St. George, Utah

Funeral Service

Saturday, December 20th, 2025 at 11:00am
Green Valley 8th Ward LDS Chapel
1282 West 500 South Circle, St. George, Utah

Graveside Service

Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 1:00pm
Hyde Park Cemetery
400 East Center Street, Hyde Park, Utah

And lastly, a tremendous thanks to the phenomenal team at Renew Home Health & Hospice who cared for Mary with such tenderness. We are forever grateful for Lisa, Jill, Lindsey, Janice, and other staff members for their devotion and kindness.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to share their condolences on her online guest book below.