Mary Lee Daniels Lay

Mary Lee Daniels Lay, 94 years young, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in St. George, Utah on February 7, 2026. She was born April 14,1931 in Annabella, Utah to William Bliss and Mary LaVern Daniels. She graduated from South Sevier High School where she was a cheerleader, FFA Queen and very involved in the activities at her high school. She married Don Lay on January 2, 1951 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George Temple on May 28, 1960. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. She was beautiful, wonderful, kind, always optimistic and hopeful. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was such a bright shining presence in our lives. She was the free family therapist and was constantly getting calls on her phone for advice or when we needed someone to talk to that could solve our problems and make us feel better. In 1964 while in California after her daughter Shelly was operated on and in the hospital she went on the TV show “Queen for a Day”. The winning contestant was selected by the audience using an applause meter after hearing their story. She was chosen by the audience out of all the contestants and was crowned “Queen for a Day” then and will forever remain the famous Queen in all our hearts. She is survived by her baby sister, Holly Lay, her children Merry Dawn (Mike) Johnson, Micki (Rex) Barney, Tami Hess and Cole (Kristy) Lay. She is survived by 14 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 6 great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Don Lay and daughter Shelly Lay, parents William Bliss and Mary LaVern Hawley Daniels, Phillip Daniels (brother) and Bebe Daniels Jensen (sister). Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 14 @1:00 PM. The viewing will be held prior to the services from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Marysvale LDS Chapel. 800 West Center Street, Marysvale, UT. Burial will be in the Thompsonville Cemetery.