Mary Karen Inkley Finlayson

Mary Karen Inkley Finlayson passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of ninety. Karen was born at home on November 8, 1935, in Granger, Utah to Edwin Christopher and Louise Merelda Smith Bawden Inkley. Growing up, Karen was a veritable tomboy - preferring to be outside with her dad to doing inside chores with her mom. She loved music and had a beautiful soprano voice. She had many fond memories from her childhood of singing around the piano with her family. She loved the hymns of the gospel and had most of them memorized. She graduated from Granite High School in 1954. She met her sweetheart, Fredrick James Finlayson, while still in high school. He proposed on her 18th birthday, and she waited two years for him while he served an LDS mission. They married on March 1, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple. With Fred, she raised 8 children, whom she loved immensely. She loved her children's spouses as well and always commented on how well her children had married. She was very proud of her 36 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She always got so excited when someone announced that they were expecting, because she loved babies so much.

Karen's family was her life. The only thing she loved more was her Savior, Jesus Christ. She had a strong testimony and cherished her knowledge of the gospel. She loved serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially in any capacity that involved music. Her favorite calling was Primary Chorister.

Next to her family, the Savior, and music, the things she loved most in life were flowers, the Utah Utes, and Christmas. Not necessarily in that order. We're not sure there was anyone in this world who loved Christmas as much as our mom. When her kids were little, she had a way of making Christmases magical - even on a limited budget. For Karen, the Christmas season started on her birthday in early November and extended well into January.

Karen was an excellent homemaker, and an especially skilled baker. She often made big batches of homemade bread and shared it with friends and neighbors. She ran a small daycare in her home for a period of time. When her children got older, she went to work at ZCMI and then at EFI Electronics and enjoyed the associations she made at both.

Karen had a kind and caring heart and in addition to caring for her husband, Fred, at the time of his passing, she also cared for her father and father-in-law for periods of time at the end of their respective lives. Karen had many challenges in her life, but she always met them with grit, a positive attitude, and trust in the Lord. She was an example to all who knew her of what 'enduring to the end' really meant.

She is survived by her children: Roslyn (Guy) Peterson, James, Lisa (Bruce) Ladle, Steven (Shirley), Terry (Brenda), Heidi (Terry) Harrison, Jennifer (Dana) Williams, and Callie (Brandon) Ayers; her sister Judy (Pat) Beattie; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her special friend and former next-door neighbor, Carlie Williams, who she described to one of her daughters as 'the best friend she ever had.' She is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Fred, three precious grandchildren, her parents, and all her siblings but Judy.

The family would like to thank CNS Hospice Services for their professional and loving care during the last 3 months. We are especially grateful to Jess, Shawna, and Gena, who became almost like family because of the time spent and love shown to our mom.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, May 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Copper Hills Stake Center, 5176 W Parr Drive, West Jordan, Utah. Viewings will be held Sunday, May 3, 2026, 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home (4330 South Redwood Road), and Monday at the church from 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Interment, Utah Veteran's Memorial Park.