Maryl Richards

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Maryl Ingersoll Richards left this world peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her on February 3, 2025 at the age of 89. Born on December 4, 1935, Maryl lived a life full of enthusiasm, joy, and service that touched everyone she encountered.

She was born to D. Grant and LaBelle Ingersoll in the historic Lehi Hospital.

Maryl was a great granddaughter of Arza Adams and Catherine Cunningham, early settlers of American Fork. She has always held the sacrifice of her handcart pioneer ancestors as sacred and considered that heritage a treasured inheritance. 

Maryl received her formative education at Harrington School and at American Fork High School on Center Street. She was a varsity cheerleader and was on the journalism staff, in the music club, and performed frequently with friends in a vocal quartet. As she went on to higher education, she pursued her interests in physical education and health science. Maryl also was active with Kappa Delta and the Student Program Bureau Smoky Mountain Cloggers. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University.

Prior to her formal career, Maryl traveled to Yellowstone National Park to work at Lake Hotel. She spent this tourist season hitchhiking and exploring this region of the country. Maryl also lived in California and worked as a secretary for Howard Hughes Aircraft Company.

Maryl married David R. Richards in the Logan Utah Temple in the summer of 1959. They made their first and last family residences in American Fork. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. 

Maryl was a spirited, cheerful individual who embraced life with open arms. She had a zest for adventure, evident in her love for camping, traveling, swimming, and skiing. Whether she was flying box kites on a windy day or hiking under the stars, Maryl brought an infectious joy and wonder to every moment.

An ardent lover of the arts, she expressed her creativity through music and interior design, filling her home and the hearts of those around her with beauty and inspiration. Her artistic talents were complemented by her remarkable commitment to education, having taught for 25 years across multiple school districts. Maryl's impact on her students was profound, and her dedication to nurturing young minds will be remembered by many.

Her deep faith as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints defined much of her life and ministry. Although Maryl’s talents were utilized in many capacities, Maryl was most fulfilled as she taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to the youth around a campfire. Maryl was especially passionate about her church missions to the Navajo and Hopi Nations, where she embodied devotion, compassion, and service. Maryl also served church missions with Welfare Services Community Partnerships and worked in the Bishop’s Storehouse. She showed us all the power of selflessness and the beauty of giving back to the community.

An evening viewing will be held Sunday, February, 9, 2025 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. This viewing will be held at Anderson & Sons Mortuary Lone Peak Chapel located at 6141 West 11000 North, Highland, UT.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the American Fork LDS Hillcrest Chapel located at 150 West 1120 North, American Fork, UT. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM. We invite all who knew and loved Maryl to join us in honoring her legacy and sharing cherished memories. A live streaming link and recording will also be provided on the Anderson & Sons Mortuary website at www.andersonmortuary.com for guests that would like to join the service virtually.

Maryl Richards will be deeply missed, but her spirit will forever remain in our hearts, guiding us to live with the same joy, generosity, and love that she exemplified every day.

Special thanks is extended to her personal nurse and friend LuDean Bishop, the staff at the Covington Senior Living Facility, and Aspen Senior Day Center for their love and care.

Maryl is survived by her husband David R. Richards, her children Joel (GayeLynne) Richards, Cynthia Richards, Christen (Michael) Khong, Mellissa (Toby) Simmons, Kathlynn (Omar) Aragon, foster son Albert Monroe, 14 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brother Carl Grant Ingersoll. Maryl is preceded in death by her parents D. Grant and LaBelle Ingersoll, beloved infant twin sons Brian Carl and James Fenton Richards, and her foster children, Debra Chapoose and Ricky McCabe.

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