THOMPSON, Mary

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/29/2013 Mary Tortice Thompson, 87, died Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born May 5, 1925, in Carrizo, to Bessie Gatewood Tortice and Methew Tortice. Mary married Spencer Thompson March 13, 1963, in the St. George Temple in Utah. She was the last surviving member of the oldest generation of the Tortice family. She was a member of the Pine Tree Clan of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Mary was the matriarch of her family. Throughout her life, Mary did beautiful beadwork, sewed beautiful Apache campdresses and made the traditional cradleboards. At these crafts she excelled. She loved to sing the Apache songs whenever she was moved to sing. Mary also loved to dance. Every year when she made her yearly trip to her beloved Fort Apache Reservation, she would attend the Sunrise ceremonies and dance to her heart’s content. She was proud of her Apache heritage and culture. For 41 years she worked at the Salt Lake Airport in the custodial department. She retired in 2008. She was a hard worker and a dedicated worker who went to work daily. Mary faced many trials and hardships throughout her life, but she gave happiness and joy to everyone who knew her. She made many friends through her kindness and good nature. Because of her kindness, she helped to raise her nieces and nephews besides her own five children. Mary was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was one of the first converts from her family and tribe. Mary loved the gospel and had great faith from the time of her baptism to the end. Mary is survived by her sons: Tony of Seattle, Wash., and Todd of Salt Lake City; daughters: Marelle Thompson of Salt Lake City, Joleen Singh (Yash) of Seattle, Wash., and Alvena Bush (John) of Hon Dah; four grandchildren: Joey, Joanna, Scott and Sylvan; six great-grandchildren: Chasity, James, Jeter, Brianna, Bennett and Cassius; in-laws Carl and Shirley Thompson and Lawrence Thompson, all of Salt Lake City, Grant Lee of Show Low, Annamencia Tortice of Hon Dah and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Methew and Bessie Tortice, husband Spencer Thompson, sisters: Pearl Lee, Andre Cosay, Eleanor Tortice and Evelyn Tortice; brothers: John, Thomas, James and Paul Tortice; grandchildren: Michael Bush and Donna Bush. A viewing was held Jan. 17 at Redwood Memorial Mortuary, 6500 S. Redwood Road. Funeral services were held Jan. 18 at Poplar Grove Ward, 740 S. Navajo St., Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment took place at Redwood Memorial Cemetery.