Mary Elaine Mendenhall Headlee

Mary Elaine Mendenhall Headlee

1931 – 2023

Cedar Hills, UT – Mary Elaine Mendenhall Headlee was joyfully reunited with her sweetheart, Richard H. Headlee on March 24, 2023. Mary is the youngest child of Howard Mendenhall and Loretta Hicken, and was welcomed into their family October 17,1931 in Provo, Utah, joining Lela, Gene and Tom. The family moved to Richfield, Utah, where Mary spent her childhood growing up among cousins, friends and a loving community. Mary’s parents owned Mendenhall’s clothing store, a popular local business and her father Howard was the town Mayor. Howard was an avid musician whose passion for music ensured Mary learned to play the piano and sing and she enjoyed those talents all throughout her life.

Mary met Richard (Dick) Headlee in high school and they were married in 1949, when Mary was 18 and Dick was 19 years old. They moved to Logan Utah for Dick to complete his education and while in Logan, they welcomed three children and built many strong friendships. The family moved to Germany while Dick served in the U.S. Army, welcoming another baby and the family then settled back in Utah where Mary gave birth to three more children. Mary and Dick changed the world for the better by engaging in decades of service to their family, friends and community. She was a member of the women’s auxiliary for the Jaycees while Dick was chapter president in Bountiful, then State president of the Utah Jaycees, and finally the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma as Dick was elected to national President of the organization and served for one year, requiring he and Mary to travel the nation, visiting all 50 states during their service.

The family then moved to Redford Township, Michigan where two more children joined the family, bringing the family to nine children. Mary was an excellent mother and an amazing home manager – her home was always clean, organized, and ready for extra guests at Sunday dinner. She was loving and kind and ensured her children had opportunities to share in her love of music as she supported them in years of piano, voice and instrumental lessons. She and Dick were active and loved to play tennis together. Mary’s patience, kindness and organizational talent was instrumental in a partnership that had as its fruits Dick’s successful management of a large corporation, development of the LDS church in Michigan, Dick’s run for Governor and two successful efforts to amend the constitution of the state of Michigan.

Dick and Mary were sealed with their children in the Salt Lake City, Utah temple in 1967 and many decades of church service ensued. Mary had a strong testimony of the scriptures, and a deep knowledge gained from consistent daily study. She served as Relief Society President, in the Primary and in many music callings. She taught early morning seminary in Farmington, Michigan for nine years. She is loved still by her students who remember her fortitude and commitment on cold Michigan mornings, as well as her love of Jesus Christ and her unwavering faith.

Mary was deeply committed to Dick and to her marriage to him. They were the best of friends. They supported each other in their vision of what a positive attitude, hard work and selfless service could accomplish, and they enjoyed success in business, public service and church service. They had the opportunity to travel the world. However, their greatest treasure was the family they built together and were dedicated to – nine children, 53 grandchildren, 106 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren have been blessed to be part of the Dick and Mary Headlee family legacy.

Dick and Mary shared a positive outlook on life that they instilled into their family and shared with hundreds of friends throughout their exemplary lives, and Mary often exclaimed what a wonderful life she had lived. After 35 years in Michigan, they retired in Cedar Hills UT where Dick passed away in 2004 and Mary has been anxiously awaiting their reunion. Her family honors her for a lifetime of love, kindness and service. We are ecstatic that they are once again in each other’s embrace.

Mary is survived by her children, Michael (Pam), Doug (Mary), Kathy, Daughter-in-law Shelly, Natalie Blackwell (David), Carolyn Sharette (David), Laura Campbell (Grant), Howard (Tana), Elaine. Preceded in death by her husband Richard, son Bruce, grandsons Tim Headlee, Alex Headlee, Michael Sharette.

Funeral services for Mary will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 9119 South 1300 East, Sandy, Utah 84093, family and friends are invited to attend a viewing from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Salt Lake City.