Our brilliant, beautiful, beloved Mary Ann Cannon Tollestrup, age 77, passed away in her home on August 9, 2013 from complications of a rare form of dementia. Mary Ann was born February 27, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Theodore Lincoln Cannon and Dorothy McClellan Cannon. She was named after her two grandmothers Mary McClellan and Ann Cannon. Mary Ann was educated in the Salt Lake City school system, graduating from East High in 1954. Mary Ann attended the University of Utah where she met Garn Tollestrup. They were subsequently married in December of 1957. She delayed her education, choosing to be a stay at home mom. Mary Ann's great joy in life was her children and grandchildren. She was a doting, loving, mother and grandmother and a second mother to her nieces and nephews. She always had a special place in her heart for them and loved them dearly. She had a great love for her family and heritage.
In 1970 Mary Ann returned to school at the University of Utah, graduating with a B.A. degree in Anthropology. Mary Ann spent countless hours in church and civic endeavors. She was a successful campaign manager for her legislative representative and participated as a delegate to many state and county conventions. She served as a volunteer in many capacities in the Salt Lake City School District, including P.T.A. President at Indian Hills Elementary and as a Docent at the Utah Museum of Natural History. Mary Ann was an active member of the LDS Church serving in many church callings within the Young Women's organization and the Relief Society, including President. She also loved her music director and Ward Choir director callings. She never undertook any position without giving 150% of herself. She was the personification of losing herself in the service of others.
After rearing her children, Mary Ann returned to school to get a PhD in Physical Anthropology at the U of U where she taught the subject she loved with enthusiasm, candor and brilliance. Once while driving down a street the driver of the car next to hers honked, rolled down his window and yelled that he had been a student of hers and that it was the greatest class he had ever taken. She was approached many times in restaurants, stores and various other places by former students with the same message.
Mary Ann bled Crimson Red. The University of Utah was a very important part of her life beginning in childhood when her Grandma Mary took her to see Madame Butterfly at Kingsbury Hall. It continued over the years as she attended many music and theater productions with family and friends at the U. Although Mary Ann delighted in the U's athletic prowess, most of all she was so very proud of the academic achievements of her beloved University of Utah.
Mary Ann was always soft spoken with a very positive and pleasant attitude and demeanor. She was the epitome of class, always very proper and correct, with a regal bearing.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband Garn, daughters, Sammie (Stephen) Vanderpool and Linda (Michael) Hapsmith and five grandchildren, Alexandra, Anthony, Jamie, Marli and Monica. Preceded in death by her parents, brother Ted Cannon, son Tommy and grandson Morgan. Funeral services will be held at noon, Saturday, August 17, 2013, at the Monument Park 9th Ward, 1565 S. Foothill Dr. A viewing will be held Friday, August 16, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Sunset Larkin Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S. and prior to the funeral at the church from 10:30am to 11:30am. Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at larkinmortuary.com.
