Flags were posted at half-staff this week along Mary Pulley Drive. The street's namesake, one of American Fork's most well-loved residents, died Wednesday at age 97.
Mary Pulley became famous for hosting an annual Christmas celebration at her home on 900 East. For 50 years, Miss Pulley and Santa Claus greeted vehicles full of adults and children who came to see Miss Pulley's lights and representation of the manger scene and Santa's sleigh.Literally thousands of residents made the pilgrimage to Miss Pulley's home a tradition. All received a kind word and candy from Miss Pulley, who started the Christmas celebration for American Fork's World War II veterans.
During the war, Pulley wrote monthly letters to 212 soldiers from American Fork. To welcome them home and to avoid cooking a turkey dinner for all 212, Miss Pulley started the Christmas celebration.
"Mary, for years and years, has really been a living institution in the community," said American Fork Mayor Jess Green, who has visited Miss Pulley's home at Christmastime "for as long as I can remember."
Pulley was born on March 18, 1900, and was raised on a farm while attending American Fork schools. She became American Fork's first beauty queen in 1928.
She left to serve an LDS mission in the northeastern United States in 1930. While working as a missionary, Miss Pulley became a guest radio announcer delivering gospel messages in New England.
She worked for 25 years as office manager of A.W. Pulley and Sons, a poultry and feed operation. Later, she worked for 17 years in various capacities, including interim superintendent, at the Utah State Training School (now Developmental Center) in American Fork.
Miss Pulley was instrumental in building an LDS chapel at the school and also founded the LDS seminary program there. She taught seminary and served as principal for five years beginning at the age of 67.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9, in the American Fork East Stake Center, 825 E. 500 North. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 E. 100 North, American Fork. Burial will be in American Fork Cemetery.