Mary K. Jenkins
Mary was born on September 13th, 1934 in Provo to George Demetrius Kogianes and Elpeneka Leventis Kogianes. Mary passed away suddenly on May 30th, 2021 at Jordan Valley Hospital in West Jordan with her two sons, Jeff and Pat and her niece, Stella by her side.
Mary attended Lincoln High School in Provo graduating in 1953. She then attended Darrell and Joseph School of Beauty and Culture in Salt Lake City graduating in 1956. Mary later went to LDS Business School to get her real estate license and became a realtor.
Mary was an exceptionally kind, caring and loving person. Anyone who knew her felt surrounded by her love and instantly became part of her family. You always wanted to be around her.
Mary told many stories of her life, but it feels as if she still had many more to tell before she passed away.
Mary had many struggles in her life but never complained about them. She always took them in stride with a smile on her face.
As a child Mary lived in a one-bedroom home with her large family. She was the sixth child surrounded by nine brothers. That, in itself, was a feat.
Mary was married three times. All three of her husbands died too young. In some instances, this fantastic woman alone raised her two children and also five step-children from her second husband.
Mary met her first husband, Charles Clyde Smith while attending beauty school. They were married in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 2nd, 1956. Clyde was in the Navy. Although Clyde was stationed in San Diego, they were lucky to have lived in Hawaii for two years and then returned to San Diego where Clyde died on April 23rd, 1967. Mary and Clyde had two children together, Jeffrey Clyde and Patrick James. Jeff was nine years old and Pat was three years old turning four six days after his dad died. Mary came back to Utah after Clyde’s passing.
Mary met her second husband, Arthur Mitchell in Utah. She married him August 3rd, 1968. Arthur was a widower with five children. Mary continued to raise his five children after his death on November 9, 1976.
Mary married Alden Snow Jenkins January 8, 1982 in Riverton. They lived in Riverton until his death on July 10, 1989. Mary eventually sold her Riverton home and bought a home in American Fork.
When her American Fork home became too hard to keep up by herself, she moved to her son, Pat’s home in Murray and then to her brother and sister-in-law’s home in American Fork.
Alden had five grown children with families of their own. Mary took them under her wings and loved and cared for all of them as if they were her own. Alden’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved and adored Mary. They were all saddened by her passing.
Mary was diagnosed with cancer in October 1999, one month after she turned 65. She went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. For the next twenty-one years, she was cancer free. However, as a result of Chemotherapy, her bones deteriorated resulting in three back surgeries due to the pain of her spinal discs pressing against one another.
Mary held many jobs. Mary held her cosmetology license in both California and Utah where she was a hairdresser in both states up until sometime in the 1990’s. Mary was also a school lunch worker and a realtor. She was most proud of being a realtor. However, we feel Mary should have been most proud of just being Mary; for she was an awesome, wonderful, beautiful woman.
Mary was a little might of a woman at just 4 feet 11 inches. She was always proud of her Greek Orthodox faith and got her strength from her belief in God.
Alden’s family always looked forward to Mary’s homemade Greek treats at Christmastime. She made the best Baklava, Butter Cookie Twists (Koulourakis), and Almond Cookies (Kourabiedes).
At the time of Mary’s death, she was living with her brother, Steve, sister-in-law, Marian, their daughter, Stella and Stella’s son, Luke. Stella was an angel on earth to Mary. She took Mary shopping, to get her hair done, to doctor appointments and to the hospital, if necessary. She went on lots of adventures with Stella and Luke and had many more planned. She was happy and that we are thankful for. Since Mary was living with Steve and Marian, we should include the rest of their family. Their other daughters are Karri, Stephanie, and Tami. Mary was the Godmother to Stancy who is Karri’s daughter. Stancy’s daughters and the great-granddaughters to Steve and Marian are Shannon and Savanna.
Mary is survived by her nine brothers and their families: John (Dorothy-deceased), Jim (Mary-deceased), Steve (Marian), Sam (Chrystal), Mike (Debbie-Deceased), Tony, Gus (Marge-Deceased), Manus, George.
Survivors of Mary and Clyde Smith’s family:
Son: Jeffrey Clyde (Denna Copp), grandson: Zachary and family
Son: Patrick James (Janelle Booth), granddaughter: Addison
Survivors of Alden Jenkins’ family who consider Mary as family:
Herbie (Linda), and their children: Ali, Brandy, and Jeremy (Jenn Hassan)
Paula (Pat), and their children: Jeff (Lori) and Neil (Rosa Salguero); Pat and Paula have four grandchildren
Cherie (Jeff), and their children: Chris and Keri: Jeff and Cherie have one grandchild.
Sandra, her children: Tommy and Amanda. Sandra has two grandchildren.
Tracy (Shane), Tracy died in an auto-pedestrian accident November 3, 2016. Shane and Tracy and their child: Vaneshia (Frank), Tracy and Shane have two granddaughters
Preceded in death by Mary’s father, George Demetrius Kogianes died at age 91, April 4, 1976 and Mary’s Mother, Elpeneka Leventis Kogianes died at age 87, December 10, 1991.
Preceded in death by McKenna Lane Enquist, granddaughter to Alden Jenkins. She died before knowing Mary, but Mary is probably with her right now.
Mary chose not to have any services. She was cremated on Friday, June 4, 2021. Please remember all the good times you had with Mary and smile. That is what she would have wanted. Have a drink for Mary and give her a toast. If you ever saw Mary drunk on wine, she was very funny.
We know Mary is with her many loved ones in heaven who have gone before her. They are having a huge party together. I bet God has joined in.