Mary Elizabeth Atkinson

On September 22, 2022, Mary Atkinson a beloved wife, Mother and grandmother was called home due to complications with an ongoing illness. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. She was 80 years old.

Mary was born in Ogden, Utah on December 16, 1941, and adopted as a newborn by Cora and Don Bass. Her Dad worked for Pacific Fruit Express and owned a Potato company. They lived in Ogden, Utah, Omaha, Nebraska and eventually settled in Idaho Falls, Idaho where she spent most of her childhood. She adored her parents and made many lifelong friends growing up. Mary had a love for sports and was very athletic. She belonged to a Girls Athletic Association in high school. She also had a love for animals that included horses and stray dogs. Her horse Blondie was with her for almost 29 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian church where she was a Sunday School Teacher. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1960.

After graduation, she attended Idaho State College (University) in Pocatello Idaho, where she was involved in many sports, clubs, and organizations. She played women’s basketball, softball, track, and volleyball. She was also a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and was the Bengal Tiger Mascot for a year. She attended many sports and physical education workshops. Mary graduated from ISU with a Master of Counseling and bachelor’s degree in physical education.

She met the love of her life, Andrew Marlo Atkinson, in Pocatello, Idaho while attending ISU. They were married on June 10, 1967, at the First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls. Together they shared 55 years of everlasting love. Her cousin Shirley said, “Few families are as close as theirs and it is all due to the wonderful love shared by Mary and Andy”. During those 55 years, they enjoyed horse racing, Trap shooting, camping with family and close friends and an unconditional love for their children and grandchildren. They had two daughters, Andrea Atkinson, and Cori (Pule) Alo. Grandchildren include Andrew “Davin” Atkinson (Misty Knight), AJ Sloup, Zaydin Alo, McKenzee Sloup and Zeadryk Alo. Stepchildren, Marla Jo (Bill) High, Mary Ellen (Brian) Hawk and Kathy Atkinson. Step grandchildren Wyatt Cellan, Tommy Cellan, Sara (KC) Weitman, JD Elmore, Dalton (Shea) Deiter and Breanna Hawk. Step Great Grandchildren Sammy Weitman, Kyler Weitman and Keegan Deiter.

Mary started her career as a counselor at Thomas Junior High School in Snake River where she worked for several years. She took a position for Hawthorne Junior High School and worked there for 35 years. Mary was a counselor and taught PE, lifetime sports and self-esteem. She was a girls’ basketball and volleyball coach and ran the girls’ and boy’s counsel. She helped many kids over the years and was always proud of her former students’ accomplishments. She was loved by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents Cora and Don Bass.

Mary will be remembered by the love she had for her family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Wilks Funeral Home. The family will receive friends a viewing for one hour prior to the services, also at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family under the "Tribute Wall" above.