Mary Josephine Laird Milender

Mary Josephine (Laird) Milender passed away peacefully at her home on January 7, 2017. She did not lose her battle with cancer, she just convinced God she would look better as an angel than a cancer patient.

She was born on November 22, 1932 to Armel and Helen Jones in Beloit, Kansas. She was the oldest of 9 children. At age 14, she stayed at home to help with the farm and family. Many of her brothers and sisters lovingly thought of her as a mother.

On November 20, 1953 she married Jerry Laird. They moved to Rock Springs Wyoming in 1969 from Wichita, Kansas. Jerry passed away November 6, 1971. Mary lived in Rock Springs until 1986. While camping in the fall of 1985, Mary suffered a brain aneurism and moved to Shelley, Idaho to be near her doctor. Mary considered Dr. Candace Carlton her angel and said she was responsible for giving her a second chance at life.

As a young woman, Mary worked for several companies including Standard Supply manufacturing where she made lifelong friends Peggy and Barb. When Mary and Jerry left Kansas she retired from Lynch Aircraft Instruments. Her true calling in life was raising children. Many would refer to her as a babysitter, but she loved all of her children like her own. Travis, Lindsay, Crystal, Bruce, Tegan, and Vanessa each had a little piece of her heart. She was so thankful for what each one of them and their families brought to her life.

Mary's family was blessed by her many gifts. Homemade baked goods, beautiful quilts and doilies. She could always be counted on to play a game of zilch, scrabble, or cards. She loved camping, canning, reading, archery, taking pictures, Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy. She was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church.

A few weeks before Mary passed away, there was a conversation about the loved ones who preceded her in death. A smile came across her face as she realized she would soon be reunited with them all. She was curious who would be there to greet her. It was then that she was reassured they would all be waiting, pushing each other out of the way to get to her first. Her husband, parents, brothers, brother and sisters in laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is survived by her children Harold (Pam) Laird of Shelley, ID; Thomas Laird of Shelley, ID; and Tami (Brett) Lyons of Nampa, ID. Her brothers LaVern Jones of Rock Springs, WY and Gary “Butch” (Vicky) Jones
of Derby, KS; Her sisters Ruth Ann (Norm) Coggins of Castlerock, CO; and Janet Amerson and Judy Jones of Tennille, GA. Her beloved grandchildren Zachary and Nicholas Laird of Shelley, ID; Christian Laird of Canton, GA; Mary Madison Lyons of Moscow, ID; and Michael and Charlie Lyons of Nampa, ID. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and even several great-great nieces and nephews.

We are so blessed to have had her in our lives. She was an incredible woman who always made the best of what life gave her. Mary was truly an angel on Earth. Patient, kind, and loving. Her heart and home always open.
Our hearts hurt that she is no longer with us, but we are so very grateful she is at peace.

The family would like to extend its gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated ladies at One Source Hospice who showed so much compassion and care for Mary over the pst several weeks.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services.