OBITUARY

Mary Hanley Black was born the only child of Mary Isabell Johnson and John Edward Hanley on April 1, 1938, in Moab Utah. She died at home in her sleep on March 31, 2025. One day shy of her 87th birthday.

Her mother died about a month after her birth. She was raised by her grandparents Milton and Ruth Johnson in a big mixed family of 17 children. She was treated as a younger sibling. They lived in a little adobe home in Moab on the corner of 400 East and 100 N. Later in life she connected with her father, stepmother and half-sister in Nebraska.

She married Neil Anthon Black on Dec 15, 1954, in the Manti Utah Temple. She was 16 years old. Neil would say he robbed the cradle. She would say they grew up together. Her family would joke that she was so spoiled that he would bring her back 3 weeks. She would say that it was a LONG 3 weeks of almost 70 years. She was married 66 years until Neil's passing. However, she did not stop counting years at his passing.

She had six children. They lived in Moab and Monticello. She had a variety of jobs and talents. She and Neil ran the flour mill in Monticello. She was an expert cake decorator and caterer. Making wedding cakes and catering many weddings in Monticello and Moab including her children's weddings. She opened a bakery in Moab in the 80s. She was an avid reader, loved to quilt, and an exceptional cook. She made and sold homemade chocolates. She made multiple quilts for many weddings and other gifts. Her greatest joy was gardening. She worked many hours to make the red blow sand fertile for almost any plant. She shared and sold the produce from her garden. She also shared plants and flowers from her garden with others often.

She was active in the LDS church, which was very important to her. She loved to give service that included being a Relief Society president; many years as a temple worker; meals for others including families, events and service projects. She helped care for elderly family and friends. She tried to find some way to do service every day. She was the biggest fan of her children. She cheered on her children in their sports and activities traveling all over the state of Utah for football and wrestling and other activities. She also participated as much as possible with her grandchildren and great grandchildren's activities. She loved family history and sought out her paternal family information. With the help of her son, got that information prepared and had their temple work completed. She experienced a lot of changing times in her life. From a very rural small town in the depression era to social media in an ever-changing Moab.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, and her oldest son Andy and his wife Gaylene. She is survived by her children Diana Adams, Steven and Mandy Black, Mike and Sharon Black, Doug and Vicky Black, and Geneil Young. Her 21 grandchildren and spouses and 23 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 1:30 pm, with a viewing one-hour prior, at the Moab LDS Stake Center, located at 701 E Locust Lane Moab, Utah. Interment will follow at Grand Valley Cemetery, Moab, Utah.

We would like to thank the many extended family caregivers; in home caregivers; the hospital and care center for the short time she was there; her ward family and all who helped her much so much.

Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com

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