Mary Ann Daly Leavitt
December 4, 1888 - January 4 1955

Mary Ann Daly was born 4 December, 1888, in Panquitch, Utah, the fifth child of James Thomas Daly and Ellen Lister Riding Daly. There were 12 children in all, they were called "The Daly Dozen", the first being born in St. George and the rest in Panquitch where they were raised.

Mary Ann was in poor health during her youth and led a very sheltered life as she grew up in a loving family. At age twelve she was baptized a second time and given a special blessing to help her gain strength. She had St. Vitus Dance and because of her nervous condition was not able to attend school enough to keep up with her grades so when the time came that her younger sister was going to pass her in school she was taken out of school in the 5th grade and that was the end of her formal education.
With the care of a loving family she had a happy childhood and with few restrictions enjoyed activities and dating with the rest of her age group but it was believed her health would not allow her to marry and have a family. At the age of 20 she went to Mesquite, Nevada to spend some time with an aunt and while there met Alonzo R. Leavitt who was a nephew of her uncle. They were married in the St. George Temple 23 February, 1910 and went to lilve on his farm in Bunkerville, Nevada. The following July they took a load of melons, tomatoes, and vegetables to her folks in Panquitch and visited until September when Lon returned home and Mary Ann stayed with her folks to wait the birth of her baby Nellie, who was born prematurely and lived just three months. Lon sold his farm and went to Panquitch in November when the baby was born where they stayed until the following March. They moved to Delta for a short time and then bought a farm in Hinckley, Utah in the fall of 1912. While in Hinckley, Jesse, Ada, Maleta, Verda, Mary and Wanda were born and with each child Mary Ann's health seemed to improve and let her take on the new responsibilities of her family. She drove several miles in a little buggy with her small children each week to teach Primary and they stayed close to the church. Maleta died at the age of nine months with whooping cough. They lived in Hinckley until 1919 when Lon became ill and was taken to Provo to the closest hospital. After a long illness he returned to Hinckley and traded his farm for a home in Provo where they moved in December.

While living in Provo the family was active in church, enjoyed camping, had two more sons and worked raising raspberries and other fruit. Lon then became involved in selling real estate and moved the family several times in the following years during which time twins were born prematurely and lived only a short time. The family then moved to Salt Lake City where Reva, Dorothy, Geraldine and Lonnie were born. By this time the depression had hit full force and life became difficult for Mary Ann and Lon trying to feed and clothe their family. Lon's hearing became so bad he was unable to continue work in real estate so the family had quite a struggle for several years. During World War II, both Harold and Don entered the service with Don in the Navy and in the middle of some of the most serious battles of the South Pacific which caused a great deal of worry until they returned safely. Later Lonnie served in the Army and was in Germany for some time and since he was the only child left who was not married, he was missed greatly, and where he was when his mother passed away.

Following a very enjoyable Leavitt family reunion in Logandale and return trip home through Panquitch where she visited with many of her family, Mary Ann suffered a stroke on December 5, 1954. Following a month illness while she was in the hospital and later cared for by Ada in her home she passed away January 4, 1955.

During the last ten years of her life Mary Ann and Lon went to the Temple regularly and Mary Ann was active in the Relief Society. She spent a great deal of time taking care of older people or tending children. She was a happy person with a zest for life that made it a joy to be with her.

Mary Ann Daly Leavitt History, written by Mary Leavitt Brown