Mary Vincent was born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 20, 1991, and peacefully left her body behind on Sept. 5, 2022. She is now free to run, laugh, dance and chat with the angels. Keeping Mary's mortal body healthy, happy, and breathing was a challenge to Mary and all who cared for her. It was a challenge that was worth it. Mary had many, many good times and was loved by all who knew her. We who love her miss her terribly but are at the same time celebrating her freedom.

Mary was adopted by me from a medical foster family in the summer of 1994. I was a single parent with two older children, Tracy and Rosemary. Tracy was on an LDS mission in Guatemala when I adopted Mary. It was a surprise to her that her mother in her forties suddenly had another daughter! My other daughter was 13 and had been adopted 5 years previous. Everybody thought I was more than a little crazy to adopt this medically fragile, multiply disabled little girl when I was a single parent in my forties. I never regretted it though. The Lord helped us get through the bouts of sickness and hospitalizations, and still made it possible for us to have a family filled with love and joy. Well, maybe not filled with joy all the time, but we managed pretty darn good.

Mary loved to ride around in the car. Especially when she was feeling sick and anxious. We spent 28 years putting a lot of miles on my cars. The only thing she liked more than cruising around was cruising around with a cold sprite in her hand. She was fantastic on road trips and we went on plenty of them.

Mary was no shrinking violet, and she knew exactly what she wanted and didn't want. If she was not happy, you knew it. Cooperation and peaceful submission were not words she understood. This earned her the name of "honey badger". Anybody who tried to brush her hair, clip her nails, brush her teeth or give her medicine she didn't want knows exactly how she got her nickname. That girl could fight.

Mary could also be loving and sweet. She enjoyed making friends and socializing with anyone around. She cared nothing for the way someone was dressed, how they looked, how they acted. Everyone was her friend and she loved them wholeheartedly.

Services will be held on Friday September 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., in the Green Valley Stake Center, 511 South Valley View Drive, St. George, Utah

Those unable to attend are invited to view the services at the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94658645909 .