Marie Nelson Durney

Marie Nelson Durney passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, in Sandy, Utah, surrounded by family and loved ones who deeply cherished her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carl H. Durney; her parents, Melroy Ole Nelson and Clarissa Nelson Benjamin; her siblings Doris Bruno, Lynn Nelson, Dean Nelson, and Norma Bond; her grandson, Maxillian Nelson Curtis; and her great-granddaughter, Amber Jennifer Heiner.

Marie is survived by her siblings, Bruce (Ann) Nelson and Rhea Bearnson, and by her six children: Caladh (Roland) Riese, Carolyn (Larry) Ipson, Edward (Noriko) Durney, Brian (Kristy) Durney, Alan (Lori) Durney, and Dyla (Karl) Miller.

She also leaves behind 25 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren, each of whom was precious to her.

Marie was born on December 15, 1933, to Melroy and Clarissa Nelson in Price, Utah. On December 11, 1953, she married the love of her life, Carl H. Durney, beginning a devoted partnership that would span decades and shape the legacy of the family they built together.

Marie and Carl spent many cherished years in several different locations before moving to Santaquin, Utah. In each place they lived, they were blessed with wonderful neighbors and developed deep, lifelong friendships.

A dedicated mother and homemaker, Marie poured her heart into raising her children—sewing their clothes, nurturing their talents, and teaching them by word and example. When her youngest daughter, Dyla, was in junior high, Marie thoughtfully discussed returning to school with her before making the decision, knowing it would impact their lives. With her family’s support, she pursued her education at the University of Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Speech Communication, followed by a Master of Social Work. Her career was marked by compassion and purpose, particularly in her work with veterans, youth, and members of a Parkinson’s support group. She had a gift for connecting with people from all walks of life.

Beyond her professional work, Marie had a deep personal commitment to caring for others. She often sought out elderly individuals in her community to visit and watch over—quiet acts of kindness that were not part of her job, but simply who she was. Her life was a living testament to service. Whether through grand gestures or gentle, thoughtful moments, she continually found ways to bless others.

One beloved memory is of the schoolchildren who used the Durneys' lawn as a shortcut—Marie and Carl welcomed them with open arms and, more often than not, a bucket of candy. When they weren’t home, a kind note would accompany the treats, reminding the children to take just one piece. Many of those children, now grown, still express their love and gratitude for the kindness they were shown.

Marie was the heart of family gatherings, delighting in preparing thoughtful gifts and hosting celebrations, no matter how large the family grew. To her, this was life’s greatest joy—being surrounded by those she loved most.

She was a lifelong and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the great blessings of her later life was serving a full-time mission with Carl in the California Sacramento Mission under President Robert Grow, a longtime family friend.

Marie will be remembered for her boundless love, quiet strength, and unwavering dedication to family and faith. Though she is no longer with us in body, her spirit remains, woven into the lives she touched.

To borrow from one of her favorite books, Love You Forever:“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always…”We will always love and cherish you, Marie.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Santaquin Utah East Stake Center, located at 548 South 400 East, Santaquin, Utah. A viewing will precede the service from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m., also at the stake center.

An additional viewing will be held on Thursday, July 17th, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Brown Family Mortuary, located at 66 South 300 East, Santaquin, Utah. Interment will be in the Santaquin City Cemetery.