Mary Gritton

1935 ~ 2023

Mary Delsa Southworth was born September 5, 1935, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah to Rachel Luella Lewis and Luman Leroy Southworth. She lived in Utah most of her life except for several years in Mesa, Arizona where the family moved because of her brother Paul’s health. He had Rheumatic Fever and was left with a heart murmur and other issues that the Doctor’s said would require a warm, dry climate.

Mary married Raymond Lee Rambo at age 19, later divorced. In 1984, she married John “Dee” Deloy Gritton. They were sealed in the Jordan River Temple in 1987. He died in 2004.

Mary was the youngest of nine children. She is preceded in death by all eight of her siblings, Bertha Luella, Margaret Opal, Leo Lewis, Berna Rachel, Joseph Luman, Evelyn Dora, Grant Leroy, Paul Eugene, her parents, grandparents, all of her aunts, uncles, cousins, and her son Phillip Gordon Rambo. Surviving are her children, Deborah Lynn (Kevin) Bennett, Rock Springs, Wyoming, Kathleen R. (Douglas) Daniels, American Fork, Utah, and Joseph Karl (Janet Rowen) Rambo, Monroe, Washington, Also survived by 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and sister-in-law, Marianne Muthreich, Paul’s wife.

Mary was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mary held many positions in the Church including Relief Society President, Temple Worker for over six years, Visiting Teacher Coordinator, Visiting Teacher/Minister for 65 years to age 87 in 2022, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Primary Teacher, Ward Newsletter Writer, Sunday Program Writer/Editor, Relief Society Counselor and Ward Activity Chairperson.

Mary attended the University of Utah, BYU, and Utah Valley University, and had schooling and training in Nutrition, Bookkeeping, Cosmetology, Professional Salesmanship , Oil Painting and Real Estate Sales. She also studied and taught hypnosis. She owned businesses of her own and with her husband. She was a Utah Delegate for the Republican Party, President of MRAU, and advocate group for mentally, physically, and special needs people. She monitored community group homes and served on Human Rights Committees and lobbied Utah Legislators for the handicapped. Mary also wrote the newsletter for this group.

Mary also authored and printed two books of her own: “Now Where Did I Put It” (personal possessions locator), and “Storage Facility Manager’s Handbook”, and many articles, stories, and some poems plus several chapters of her own personal history and activities.

Per Mary’s wishes, services will be private.