Mary Gilliland Obituary

Mary Ann Rose Page Gilliland

1939 ~ 2025

Mary Ann was born October 2nd 1939 to Horace Henry and Minerva Tuddenham. Her mother passed away when she was three months old. When she was three her father married her mother's sister Mary who was a wonderful mother and grandmother to her children. She was blessed with good parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Mary Ann lived in Beaver, Utah until she was seven and then in Salt Lake City for three years. In October 1950 the family moved to Bountiful where she lived for the next ten years. She graduated from Bountiful High School and Brigham Young University with a degree in Family and Consumer Science.

August 4th 1961 she married Melvin Allen Page in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Lanay, Kent, and Glen. She taught school at Box Elder High School, Clearfield High School, and Bountiful High School before returning to Brigham Young University in 1973 where she obtained her Master's Degree. The family then moved to St. George where Mary Ann was a teacher at Dixie College for 15 years. Allen passed away January 1st 1987. In June 1989 Mary Ann worked as a Family and Consumer Extension Agent for Utah State University Extension in Washington County until April 19, 1997 when she married Robert L. Gilliland.

After her marriage she and Robert (Bob) moved to Logan where he was Vice President for Extension and Continuing Education for Utah State University. At this time she was blessed to add 9 more beautiful children to her family. She was the embodiment of being a mother and grandmother to all of her "family orchard." She was loved for her generosity, thoughtfulness and charity for all. In 2001 she was called to preside with Bob over the Cincinnati Ohio Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mary Ann was a stalwart force for good in the lives of missionaries and members of the church in the Cincinnati area. This was truly a rich experience for both her and Bob. They returned to Logan in 2004 where they served in the Utah State University Young adult Stake. In 2005 Bob and Mary Ann moved to St. George, Utah where they resided until her death.

Mary Ann was a disciple of Jesus Christ and held fast to her covenants with him. She was blessed with the opportunity to serve in a variety of ward and stake callings in the church where she touched lives and made lifelong friendships. She counted it as a blessing to work, serve and sacrifice for her family, friends, community and neighbors.

She is survived by her husband and children: Lanay Page, Kent (Heidi) Page, Glen (Rachel) Page, and nine other wonderful children: Lance (Sharley) Funk, Cheryl (Ralph) Savage, Jennifer Funk (Brad Deceased), Amber (Jason) Park, Clark (Lisa) Funk, Kim Gilliland Valentine, Robyn (Deceased) (Gary) Huffman, Michele Gilliland Hodges, Robert C. Gilliland, 34 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded by death by her sister Janet, her parents and her grandson Ryan C. Gilliland.

Special thanks to Zion's Way Home Health and all those who compassionately cared for her. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS church missionary or perpetual education fund.

An evening viewing will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Spilsbury Mortuary. 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah 84770. On Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the St. George 16th Ward LDS Chapel, a morning viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. 550 East 700 South, St. George, Utah 84770. Following the services interment will be at the St. George City Cemetery.

For family and friends unable to attend in person, please join us live at the following link: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCOSzceAPMotvDnfg_FW6ZPg/live

Arrangements were made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to share memories on Mary Ann's digital memorial page at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com