Mary Kirkland

Mary Elaine Smith Kirkland

November 18, 1922 ~ November 4, 2016

Mary Elaine Kirkland, 93, a long-time resident of Ogden, passed away peacefully on November 4 surrounded by family.

She was born on November 18, 1922 to Heber W. and Dorothy S. Thompson Smith in Smithfield, UT. Mary was the youngest of six children.

Mary was raised and schooled in Smithfield and later in Ogden. After graduating in the first class of Ogden High School, when it was on Madison Avenue, Mary went on to earn her Licensed Nurse Practitioner certificate from St. Bernedicts Hospital, where she was affectionately referred to as “Kirk.”

Starting in 1956, she retired after 37 years of nursing in 1993.

Mary met John J. Kirkland and they were married in the fall of 1941 in Preston, ID. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Ogden LDS Temple. They raised six children together in Ogden. Mary was saddened at the loss of her sweetheart, John, after 37 years of marriage, when he passed away from a sudden heart attack.

She continued working and enjoyed traveling, playing the slots, reading voraciously, and chasing grandkids.

Mom will be remembered for her many strengths, her unwavering support, her excellent memory, sense of humor, and for her dedication as a nurse. It was her passion.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings Pat, Juanita, Ruth, Val, and Leslie, and a granddaughter, Sharon.

She is survived by her six children: John E. Kirkland, Ogden; Dennis R. (Maryann) Kirkland, Roy; Leslie S. (Patti) Kirkland, Uintah; Larry V. (Susan) Kirkland, Sandra S. (Kevin) Durrant, and Susan A. (Kyle) Wilson, all of Ogden; 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at Lindquist Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. Family will visit with friends on Tuesday, November 8 from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment will be at the Ogden City Cemetery, 1875 Monroe Blvd.