Obituary: HARDING, MARY

Mary Lou Hixson Harding1930 ~ 2013"MIRT"Mary Lou Hixson Harding died peacefully in her home on May 23, 2013. She was born May 30, 1930, to Van Lafe Hixson and Mildred Stephens in Salt Lake City, UT. During her early and teenage years she lived in Hilo, Hawaii and Los Angeles, California. She graduated from East High School and attended classes at LDS Business College. While waiting for her sweetheart to return from an LDS mission, she worked at Zions Bank. She married Neil Stanley Harding on March 7, 1951, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Neil affectionately referred to her as "Mirt". Mary Lou was known for hosting parties, catering events and her cooking. Mary Lou took great enjoyment in maintaining friendships her entire life. She loved to be around her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She volunteered at the school and was a room mother or PTA President for each of her children. She volunteered for 12 years with her husband at St. Mark's Hospital. You could always find Neil and Mary Lou at Del Taco on Tuesday for Taco Tuesday. She served many years in the Relief Society and Primary of her ward in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.She leaves her husband, Neil, five children: Stan (Peggy); Diane (Bill); Danny (Joan); Alyson; Gary (Lindsay); 20 Grandchildren and 30 Great Grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Valley View 12th Ward Building (2125 East Evergreen Ave (3435 South)) in Salt Lake City. There will be viewings held on Monday, May 27, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., prior to the funeral services at the above location. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary.