Mary Palfreyman Giles

March 19, 1935 — April 16, 2024

Springville, UT

Mary Palfreyman Giles, age 89 of Springville, passed away quickly and peacefully on April 16th, at Heritage Gardens Assisted Living, in Springville. She was born March 19, 1935, in Springville to Eldon and Afton (Jones) Palfreyman. She married R. Marlin Giles on June 12, 1956 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

Mary was raised and attended school in Springville. She graduated from BYU College in Education. She became an elementary school teacher for 3rd grade. She loved teaching and working with young children.

Mary grew up with a passion for music. She took piano lessons at a young age. She was so good her teacher wanted to send her to BYU to get special teaching of the piano and maybe help her grow into a concert pianist. She wasn’t sure she wanted that at such a young age. She was diverse in music and played the French Horn, she played guitar. When older in school she sang in an A’cappella choir. She sang in a Quartet for years and sang at different places, competing in some Festivals. She sang with the Musettes for years which they performed all over. It was a Federated Singing Woman’s Chorus.

Mary had a very strong Faith in the LDS Church. She had many church callings as Primary and MIA Music Director. She was a Jr. Sunday Chorister, Guide Patrol in Primary, Relief Society Teacher and Primary President. Then she became Relief Society President.

Mary loved spending time with her family. She loved all the camping trips to Capital Reef, Sand dunes, Arches, Goblin Valley, Uinta’s, up Hobble Creek Canyon at Kelly’s Grove, and Deer hunting and fishing trips to Fairview Canyon. Mary loved life and would try anything. She loved skiing, tried golfing, tried water skiing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, and most of all reading a hard back book. She loved reading. Mary had a strong love for animals. She had a dog at an early age named, Tiko. She had sheep, Cows, a horse named Sunday, Cats and turtles and anything she could find, she would bring home to nurture. She had a true way with animals.

Mary always had many friends. They always had a group of people out of high school that she ran around with. Mary and Marlin had their friends and her friends had husbands. They all did things together. Even up until this year, they were still getting together for lunch and club parties. Mary belonged to a Club group for over 50 years. They are still going strong to this day.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Max Palfreyman, her sister, Phyllis Palfreyman, her parents Eldon and Afton (Jones) Palfreyman and her son, Richard P. Giles. She is survived by her Husband, R. Marlin Giles; daughter, Analee (Jeff) Schwartz; grandchildren; Brittney Mooney, Riley Giles; and two great grandchildren, Kara and Rylan Mooney.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Springville Church, 355 East Center Street. There will be a viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 followed by a funeral at 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Historic Springville Cemetery at 400 South 200 West, Springville.

Condolences can be offered at www.wheelermortuary.com. A live stream will also be available for viewing through Wheeler Mortuary.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Palfreyman Giles, please visit our flower store.

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Thursday, April 25, 2024

9:30 - 10:30 am (Mountain time)

LDS Chapel, 355 E. Center Street

355 East Center Street, Springville, UT 84663

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