Mary Carol Smith Luddington

Mary Carol Smith Luddington quietly slipped away at home in Bountiful, Utah, in the early morning hours on Monday, November 12, 2018, while holding hands with her husband of 62 years. It was November 21, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah, when this “beautiful baby angel” presented herself to her parents, Kenneth Edwards Smith and Mary Bennett Smith. She and her brothers and sisters (Ken, Rosie, Dave, Elaine) whom she dearly loved and cherished, were raised in a happy home by loving parents. Mary Carol married the love of her life, Dean Farley Luddington, on August 24, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple. This eternal union brought six children into their home: Diane (Steven) Peterson, Richard (Barbara) Luddington, Marvin Luddington, John (Andrea) Luddington, Sharon (Craig) Kofford, and Stephen (Kimberly) Luddington. Mary Carol had an impact on all who knew her. She had an infectious smile and an engaging personality that lit up every room she entered, making friendships that lasted throughout her life.

   Though she was an accomplished pianist and organist and loved symphonies, operas, and ballets, her greatest enjoyment was being by her husband’s side with her children in tow, armed with her survival kit: a camera, a book, her journal, a cross-stitch project, and a ”yum-gubby” treat to share with all. Mary Carol was spontaneous–always prepared to camp, hunt, fish, swim, and eager to support her family in any activity. She loved dark clouds, strong thunder and lightning storms, and gazing at the stars in the heavens on warm summer nights. She enjoyed all these activities with her family and her grandchildren who affectionately called her Grammy. Grammy had 20 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

   Mary Carol and Dean enjoyed quiet solitude at their cabin in Midway, Utah. There she loved to hear the call of sandhill cranes, the hum of hummingbirds, and the sound of a hammer and saw as she and Dean completed a total remodel of their cabin…together, of course. Midway was also base camp to many adventurous outdoor camping excursions. For their twenty-sixth anniversary, on their way to the Uintah’s, she took cushions from their couch and used them to make sleeping in a tent by the river more comfortable.

   Mary Carol valued education and graduated from East High School, where she was senior class secretary. She continued her education at the University of Utah and graduated in Home Economics. She also enjoyed her membership in the Chi Omega sorority and the Air Force Sponsors. Mary Carol was a lifelong student and had an insatiable appetite for children’s literature and a library to match. She had a tradition of gifting children’s books to her children and grandchildren. Each book included a personal note on the inside cover detailing the date, the occasion, the weather outside at that moment, and a special tribute to the recipient. This was her signature gift.

   She was a faithful and consecrated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Besides serving in various callings throughout her life, she and Dean completed two missions (England, London South; Family History Center, SLC) and also served as ordinance workers in the Bountiful, Utah, Temple.

   Though the affects of Parkinson’s disease and several strokes slowly took away her ability to cook, cross-stitch, sing, play the piano, write in her detailed journals, and eventually smile, speak, and even care for herself, she never uttered or expressed a word of complaint. It became a great joy and privilege for her family to care for her in her beloved home with her devoted husband by her side. Mary Carol’s husband and family will miss her greatly but rejoice in the faith that families can be together forever.

   There will be a viewing Friday evening, November 16, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 17, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bountiful 21st Ward, located at 115 Wicker Lane. There will be a viewing prior to the funeral from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Interment: Ogden City Cemetery.