Mary Elizabeth Salmond Edwards

Mary Elizabeth Salmond Edwards

1932 ~ 2024

Mary Elizabeth Salmond Edwards, our beloved mother (and wife to our father Larry Cecil Edwards), grandmother, sister, and friend, peacefully passed away at the age of 91 on April 10, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was a beacon of love, strength, and wisdom whose presence illuminated the lives of all who knew her.

She was born on November 16, 1932, in Ogden, Utah. She was the third child and only daughter of loving parents, John and Ethel Salmond. Mary Beth grew up in Ogden and graduated from Weber High School.

Following high school, she attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Mary Beth was a real sports enthusiast, and while watching a pick-up basketball game at the Smith Fieldhouse, caught the attention of one of the basketball players and another sports fan, Larry Edwards. Their mutual appreciation for the love of the game sparked a true love story that would last for eternity. However, before marrying her best friend, Mary Beth served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Calgary, Canada, and upon her return from her mission, she and Larry were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 26, 1958. They did almost everything together, including road trips throughout the United States and Canada for recreation and family history.

 Mary Beth was enthusiastic about all her pioneer ancestors and dedicated her life to loving and serving those on the other side of the veil through genealogy. Mary Beth was particularly close to the Spirit, often dreaming about those who had passed. She kept a notebook by her bed, waking in the middle of the night with a particular name of someone who needed their temple work done.

Larry and Mary Beth lived in Oregon and California, eventually settling down in Alpine, Utah. Together they raised six children and built a wonderful life together. Mary Beth worked as an accountant for various software and construction companies, most proud of her work for Okland Construction on the LDS Conference Center, Grand America hotel, and other large projects.

Mary Beth was a master with a needle and thread, crafting late into the night to create masterpieces for family and friends who received one of her costumes, puppets, stuffed animals, clothes, or other creations. Mary Beth spent many happy hours around a table playing games with loved ones, preparing lessons for the Daughter’s of the Utah Pioneers, hosting monthly book club, doing yardwork, and serving in the temple as a temple worker.

Because of Mary Beth’s example of hard work and persistence, all six children served LDS missions and all five sons received their Eagle Scout Award. She was the very definition of a Renaissance woman.

Mary Beth loved the Savior and was always willing to serve wherever needed. She served in many capacities throughout her life, including as a cub scout den mother, primary president, various callings within the relief society organization, and served as a missionary in the unemployment center in American Fork. She particularly loved working with the young adults at BYU as a stake relief society counselor when Larry served as a bishop and in the stake presidency at BYU.

Mary Beth is survived by her children Brent (Janine), Greg (Carolyn), Robert (Jennifer), Darin (Brenda), and Terrence (Margot). She has 20 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Larry, daughter Mary Lee, granddaughter Taylor, and daughter-in-law Amy. We are happy for her joyous reunion with all her loved ones.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 11:00 in the Alpine 7^th Ward Chapel, located at 890 North Heritage Hills Drive, Alpine, Utah, 84003. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Alpine City Cemetery. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all those who took special care of Mary Beth, brought meals, visited, and watched BYU and Jazz games with her these past few months.