Mary Elizabeth Gourley Linton

Mary Gourley Linton

1936-2024

Mary Elizabeth Gourley Linton, age 88, passed away peacefully December 26, 2024.

Mary was born June 26, 1936 in Murray, Utah. She was the second child and oldest daughter of James Herbert Gourley and Alice Elizabeth Devlin Gourley.

Mary met William Linton, the love of her life, while she was attending Cyprus High School. Bill saw her for the first time when she was the lead in the Cyprus High musical of “Annie Get Your Gun”. He decided she was a special girl and called and asked her out. After a year of dating, they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on October 11, 1955.

Mary grew up in Magna, Utah and graduated from Cyprus High School and the University of Utah where she was selected to participate in a special program to get her degree. She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Elementary Education which she obtained after her youngest son started junior high. She taught 6th grade at Hillsdale Elementary for 25 years.

Mary was blessed with a love of music and a beautiful voice. She shared her talents with many. While teaching at Hillsdale Elementary, she started an after school chorus with any student that wanted to attend and had many performances throughout the years.

She was the Primary chorister for many years. For ten years, Mary was the director/conductor of the chorus at Temple View, a “snowbird” getaway in St. George, Utah where they wintered for over 25 years. People came from far and near to see Temple View’s annual production of the Hee Haw.

Mary had an infectious personality and had many wonderful friends. Mary did beautiful handwork. Her knitting and crocheting skills were extraordinary. She was so generous to share her afghans, sweaters, crocheted dolls, animals and exquisite snowflake Christmas ornaments that she created. They are treasured items.

Mary loved nature and knew the names of all the plants. She spent countless hours with Bill, exploring, camping, hiking and enjoying the outdoors. She also loved to square dance and line dance.

Mary suffered a stroke in September of 2023 and her life changed dramatically. She was paralyzed on her left side and she was unable to do the things she had so enjoyed doing in the past. She was determined to regain her ability to walk and she succeeded to a degree. After being hospitalized, she was able to return home where her husband lovingly took care of her.

Mary is survived by her husband of 69 years, Bill Linton, children: Ken (Karen) Linton and Dan (Jana) Linton. Her brother Bob Gourley and sisters, Suzanne Burnham and Kaye (Ross) Brown. Seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Alice Gourley, her brother Jim Gourley, brother-in-law Howard Burnham and sister-in-law Susan Gourley and sons James and Tom.

There will be a viewing on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Hillsdale Park Ward, 3274 S. Hillsdale Drive, West Valley City, Utah. Funeral services will be Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 11 am at the Hillsdale Park Ward, with a viewing prior to the funeral from 10:00 – 10:45 am. Interment will be at Valley View Memorial Park located at 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah.

To watch the services remotely via zoom please use the following link.

Zoom link

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