Mary Heagle

Aurora, Utah - Mary Elizabeth Drummond Heagle, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Aurora, Utah on the 31st of May, 2012, surrounded by her three daughters. Mary was born the 31st of July, 1924 in Syracuse, Onondaga, New York to James Logan and Grace Evelyn Drummond. Her sister, Evelyn, was born 2 years later. Mary graduated from Onondaga Valley Academy in Syracuse, New York as part of the class of 1942. She spent her summers working as a waitress in resorts in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. She attended the Syracuse Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and graduated with the class of 1945 as a Registered Nurse. This was the last graduating class of the university. She was also an honorary graduate of Syracuse University and a member of the United States Cadet Nursing Corps during World War II. Mary met her future husband, Ray, while they were both patients in the Raybrook Sanitarium where they both were recuperating from tuberculosis. She married Raymond Henry Heagle the 17th of August, 1946 in Syracuse, Onondago, New York. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on the 15th of July 1967. Mary spent her entire working career as a Registered and Surgical Nurse, working in New York, Utah, and California, until her retirement in 1982. The last 16 years of her career were spent at the Buenaventura Medical Clinic, Ventura, California. She was the Surgical Nurse for Dr. William Creighton Lukes, as well as the Purchasing Agent for the entire clinic. Mary had diverse activities and interests. She retired 2 years prior to her husband, Ray, in order to work on her scrapbooks and photo albums, before moving to Aurora, Utah in 1984. She served as a Girl Scout leader for many years, involving her 3 daughters in all activities. She served as the PTA President at El Camino Elementary School, was active in sports, camping, crafts, sewing, knitting, and crocheting – including one piece that is used in the Manti Temple. She won numerous awards in flower arranging, baking, sewing and place settings. She was chosen Mrs. Ventura in 1954 as part of the Mrs. America competition. Mary had an avid love of music, especially singing. She participated in many church choirs over the years. She enjoyed dancing and was still square dancing in Richfield, Utah until last year, even after receiving 2 complete knee replacements. Traveling together was a favorite past-time for Mary and Ray. They had the opportunity to see much of the world touring throughout every state throughout the United States, into much of Canada, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Great Britain and Europe. Mary and Ray also enjoyed many hours traveling in the outdoors, whether it was camping in their trailer, or sleeping in the back of their van. Mary was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since joining the Church in 1965 while living in Ventura, California. Her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was and is unshakeable. She served in many positions over the years - Young Women’s President, Relief Society Counselor, Homemaking Leader, Primary Chorister, and Beehive Leader. She continued her activities in the Church until her passing, including serving 2 full-time missions with her husband, first in Quezon City, Philippines and second, serving a Family History Filming mission in Vermont. Mary and Ray also served many years in the Manti LDS Temple as Ordinance workers. Another passion of Mary’s was Family History. She served on the Ward and Stake level as Family History Leader. Since Ray’s passing she has devoted all of her time to completing her Family History despite battling macular degeneration and glaucoma. Family has always been important to Mary. She knew the value of family life and enjoyed many hours with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is blessed to have 3 daughters, 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, with number 25 arriving in November. Mary is survived by her 3 daughters, Lynda (Steve) Despain, Moroni, Utah; Cindy James, Aurora, Utah; and Janet (Robert) Reeves, Gilbert, Arizona, currently presiding over the Mexico Puebla LDS Mission, 14 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Henry Heagle, her parents James and Grace Drummond and sister Evelyn Drummond. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. in the Aurora 2nd LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Thursday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. On line guest book at: www.springerturner.com