Mary Johanna Jensen-Smith

It was on a beautiful Sunday morning, Mother’s Day, when Mary returned to her loving heavenly family. Surrounded by loved ones, she passed peacefully due to natural causes. We will from now on call every Mother’s Day “Mary’s Day.” Heaven gained a powerful angel that day.

Mary was born on July 15, 1963, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and passed away at her family home in Millcreek, Utah on May 12, 2024. Mary was born to Wallace and DeAnna Jensen. She grew up in Millcreek in a neighborhood full of friends who did all the usual things kids did in the 1960s and 70s, like play hopscotch and kick the can, ride bikes, have hula-hoop contests, flash peace signs to passing cars, and enjoy the long summer days. Mary attended Sherman Elementary School, Rosecrest Elementary where she received The Hope of America Award, Evergreen Junior High and graduated from Olympus High School class of 1981.

As a teenager, Mary lived for a time in Kearny, Arizona while her father’s company transferred him to manage a mining operation there. Although she was the new girl at school, she used her amazing talent for making friends to quickly become popular. The swimming pool at her house became a fond gathering place for her crew, it wasn’t unusual for her parents to drive up to the house after an evening out only to find dozens of teenagers swimming and having a great time.

Once back in Utah for High School, she quickly rejoined with her old friends. She liked skiing at Alta and going on picnics with her family at the quiet mountain creeks they all loved. In what may be a surprise to some who knew her, she also worked on the family farming and ranching operation, moving irrigation lines, feeding cows, and helping her mom drive the hay hauling truck – an ancient flatbed Ford with a tough clutch, power nothing, and no AC.

After high school graduation she rebelled and broke a cherished Ute family tradition to attend Brigham Young University, graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude. She loved her time at BYU and made many lifelong friends.

Mary spoke often of her strong belief in, and love for Jesus Christ and exemplified that in how she lived. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Her strong business acumen and love of people led her to beginning a career at O.C. Tanner. She loved everything about working there and quickly expanded her responsibilities. Known for her fierce devotion to excellence, and an unflinching loyalty to her customers and colleagues she made an inestimable impact within that business. No problem could withstand Mary’s creativeness and diligence, she was given the nickname “Magic” for smoothing out the trickiest of situations.

Her courage under fire coupled with a calm, articulate voice set her apart as a leader. Starting as a customer service representative fresh from college, she retired over 25 years later as Director of Client Relations. One of her favorite highlights was her representation of O.C. Tanner for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, where she gave us a sneak peek of the carefully crafted medals and provided an abundance of hard-to-get venue tickets. Another highlight from early in her career was handling the distribution of Super Bowl Championship rings. A few NFL players dropped by O.C Tanner in person to pick up their rings and gave their personal thanks to Mary for the excellent customer care – they loved their rings.

In the romance filled 1980s Mary met the love of her life, Jerry Smith. They were married on March 10, 1990, in Salt Lake City. Together they raised two sons, Ian and Conner. Of all the things Mary accomplished in her life nothing was more important to her than her family, and she cherished her sons. Cheering them on at little league soccer and baseball games, taking them on the annual summer vacation to Flaming Gorge, and many adventures in between, nothing was too good for her sons. She is so proud of them and worked hard to give them every opportunity. They were loved deeply by her in this life and will continue to be watched over by her from this day on.

Mary and Jerry had a fondness for dogs. Soon after their wedding they added an overly rambunctious but completely loveable dalmatian puppy, Oscar, to their family. While no door in their home was left unchewed, nor any guest was left with a dry pant leg, Mary’s heart had nothing but love for her sweet dog. Over the years more dogs knew the sanctuary that was their home, and today, her dear cocker spaniels Conan and Chloe are mourning her loss along with us.

It is said the kindest of souls on this earth are a gift to us all. Mary was unmatched in her generosity and thoughtfulness, birthdays and Christmas found her giving amazing gifts that were carefully picked to bring joy to the receiver. Her sons, nieces and nephews were her fondest recipients. Giving was one of Mary’s many ways of showing her love and devotion.

Mary is survived by her husband Jerry, her sons Ian and Conner, her mother DeAnna, her sister Laurie Jensen, her brother John (Camille) Jensen, nieces; Kayla Simmons, Maren Jensen, Jessica (Michael & their son Graden) Kjar. Nephews; Bailey (Greta) Simmons, Jacob Jensen. aunts, uncles, many cousins, and wonderful friends. She was preceded in passing by her father Wallace, grandparents, Pete and Twila Dow, Robin and Janice Jensen, cousin Jack Dow, uncle and aunt Larry and Dianne Dow, uncle and aunt Pete and Joanne Dow, and sister-in-law Susan Hastings.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.

Mary loved all the beauty in this world and especially the people in it. In her memory, please take someone to lunch, be charitable to someone in need, splurge on yourself, and be kind.