Our dear mother, sister, aunt, neighbor, friend, and soon-to-be grandmother, Mary Schlange Rees passed away Jan. 7, 2013, due to an accidental fall in her home. Those who knew Mary will understand just how ironic this is, considering she was more sure-footed than any mountain goat who ever traversed the rough terrain of the Colorado Plateau.

Mary was born on Jan. 21, 1946 in Auburn, Neb. After meeting her future husband, Tom Rees, she moved to Utah in 1968 and graduated from the University of Utah in anthropology. They settled in Moab and later in Castle Valley, where she continued to live until her death.

Mary was a most resourceful person and cultivated her passions in a variety of ways. Upon moving to Castle Valley, she and Tom produced two beautiful, smart and industrious children – Tait and Hilary. Later, she honed her horticultural skills into a business of restoring landscapes to their natural habitat. Mary’s photographs captured extraordinary images of nature. Mary’s writing was articulate, meaningful, and poignant. Her letters were always treasures.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Augusta Schlange.

She is survived by Tait Rees (Koel Thomae), Boulder, Colo.; Hilary Rees, Tucson, Ariz.; their father, Tom Rees; and many friends and colleagues who will miss her dearly.

A wake was held in her memory at Pack Creek Ranch in Moab, Utah on Saturday Jan. 12, 2013 at 3 p.m. A memorial will be held during the summer of 2013.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grand Canyon Trust: Grand Canyon Trust, 2601 North Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, www.grandcanyontrust.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValley Mortuary.com.