Marjorie Jones Heyborne was reunited with her parents and brothers on the morning of February 21st 2023. Born to Marriner and Nellie Jones on June 17, 1952, Marj spent nearly her entire life in Kanab. Her childhood years were spent climbing trees, riding horses, hunting and fishing with her dad, and spending time with her brother Roger, many cousins, and grandparents in Kanab and Parowan. She had a special bond with her step-grandmother whom everyone affectionately called Aunt Win. A 1970 graduate of Kanab High School, Marj then attended two years at Southern Utah State College (SUU) where her love of animals continued while studying animal science.

It was in an animal science class where Marj first met the love of her life, G. Lyle Heyborne. A mutual love of animals and the outdoors cemented their friendship and eventually led to a marriage proposal. They were wed on June 24, 1972. Their marriage was solemnized two years later in the Manti Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After two years in Cedar City, and the addition of their first child, William (Bill), Marj and Lyle moved to Kanab and purchased Fenton’s Rexall from Marj’s parents which they then operated for many years. It was during these years that their other two children, Casey and Mindy, were born.

An attentive and loving mother and homemaker, Marj enjoyed crafting, cooking, music, and reading. Her love of the outdoors continued throughout her life. She and Lyle continued to enjoy hunting, fishing, and camping together. And there is an aspen tree on Kanarra Mountain that still bears their initials from back in their dating years. Marj worked outside the home the majority of her life. Many of her closest friends were made while working for Williamsburg Savings Bank, State Bank of Southern Utah, Zion’s Bank, and Southern Utah Title Company. Her quiet and helpful demeanor made her a customer favorite and she was often called upon to assist with those who had special needs or were experiencing problems or frustration.

Marj was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in a variety of roles at both the ward and stake level in the primary, young womens, and Relief Society. She easily connected with young people and made everyone feel welcomed and loved. She did not like being in the spotlight. She preferred to work in the background quietly loving and serving in simple but profound ways. Many in the community have been the beneficiaries of a visit, a little note, or some other act of kindness. She and Lyle served a 28-month church service mission, running the addiction recovery program, where they loved and served some of the most vulnerable members of the community with humbleness, patience, and lack of judgment. Her simple ways of improving the world were fueled by her constant optimism and hope for a better tomorrow.

Marj’s greatest joy in life was her family. A devoted daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she enjoyed working and playing with those she loved most. Blessed with an impeccable work ethic and a seeming unending source of patience, her children and grandchildren were all carefully taught how to cook, clean, and care for others. She made her home a place where everyone felt welcome and comfortable – stranger and family alike. However, her talents were not limited to work in the home. Marj also enjoyed riding horses, hiking, working in her yard, and was a deadeye with a rifle.
Marj retired from Southern Utah Title Company in July 2021 and she and Lyle began making post-retirement plans – including helping to care for their infant great-granddaughter Alex. However, the heavens had other plans for Marj as she was diagnosed with stage-four ovarian cancer in September of that same year. A sixteen month battle with cancer ensued. Despite the constant trips to St George, surgery, chemotherapy, and losing her hair, Marj never lost her positive attitude or hope for the future. That attitude served her well up until the last days including over a week of hospice care where she greeted her hospice nurses with a rousing “good morning” up until her last hours.

The family wishes to thank all of the doctors and other health care providers who worked so diligently to care for Marj during the last couple of years of her life. They also wish to thank the many friends and relatives who were quick to return the Christ-like service that Marj had so readily given to others. It meant so much to her. A special thank you goes to the staff at Zion’s Way Hospice & Home Health, especially Lexie Cutler, who were so attentive to Marj’s needs during her final days.

Survivors include her husband Lyle, children Bill, Casey, and Mindy (Walker) Mackay, mother-in-law LaVee Heyborne, daughter-in-law Jen Heyborne, grandchildren Brylie (Colten) Parker, Dylan, Paige & Liam Heyborne, Kaicia & Ridge Mackay, great granddaughter Alex Parker, three sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Monday, February 27th, at 12 Noon in the Kanab 6th Ward Chapel, 1437 South McAllister Drive. Viewings will at the Chapel on Sunday from 6-7 PM and on Monday from 10:30 – 11:45 am prior to the funeral. Interment in the Kanab City Cemetery near her parents and infant brother under the red hills that she loved.

You are invited to watch the services through the zoom link below.

https://zoom.us/j/98088444764

https://zoom.us/j/98088444764