Jean Marie Davies Aird was born January 28, 1926, to her parents Paul Jonathan Davis and Veda Lavon Black, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Growing up in the Liberty Park area, she had many good friends and enjoyed playing in the park. She graduated from South High School with the class of 1943. She attended the University of Utah and then received her designation as a registered nurse upon graduating from nursing school at the LDS Hospital. She married Jack Alma Aird on April 3, 1947, in the Salt Lake Temple. During her life she served in numerous positions in the LDS Church, including teaching Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. Her church service also included multiple callings as counselor and president in ward and stake auxiliaries. Also, she provided key leadership to and for the Brighton LDS Girls Camp for many years. For many years she volunteered working in tracking and confirming that returned missionaries from many parts of the world were tested for TB.
She was a loving spouse to her husband and devoted mother to four children, as well as a great friend to family and neighbors, all the while maintaining a neat and orderly home for her family to live in. Family gatherings demonstrated her ability to cook. These and other occasions always offered good and plentiful food.
Family activities were a big part of family life. She was always ready with food and supplies for boating, flying, picnics, or travel to many parts of the world. She never complained about conditions and trusted that her family would get her through, enduring, if not enjoying, the journey, whatever it may be. Other activities and hobbies include knitting, quilting, reading, walking, exploring, talking, and studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Family history was an important part of her life. She struggled to understand why she would want a computer until she realized its potential for work in family history, then there was no problem at all. She contacted and collected numerous documents and information from all around the world. faithfully and regularly participated in Temple service, providing vicarious work for others until she physically was unable to do more. Nevertheless, she continued doing name extraction until the end.
As a charter member of the "Liberty Ladies," an ad hoc group of friends from the Liberty ward, she hosted and participated in social and service activities for more than 50 years. This and many other associations demonstrate a life of service, fun, and joy.
Jean Marie is survived by her children: Richard (Nancy), Kenneth (Jane), Janet (Karl), and David(Jodi); 16 grandchildren and 47+ great-grandchildren.
In a world focused on the self-centered, she was exceptional, without guile. She thought first of others, welcoming all who presented themselves at her door. Kind and thoughtful to a fault, she found great joy in service, a lesson which guided her children to do the same. She is, without any doubt, a true disciple of Christ and faithful daughter of God who has now walked back to him.
Funeral services will be held at the Salt Lake Foothill 6th ward chapel 2215 East Roosevelt Ave. at noon Tuesday May 29, 2018. A viewing will precede the service at 10:00 AM.
