Mary Anne (Gilvin) Wells, 85, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, November 20, 2025.
She was born February 4, 1940 in Glendale, California, to Roger and Dorothy (Grubb) Gilvin. Mary grew up in California, moving to St. Joseph with her new husband when she was 15.
Mary was a military wife for many years and lived in many different countries. She earned her Certified Nurse’s Aide certificate and was a CNA at both Sisters and Methodist hospitals before working for 18 years at St. Joseph Convalescent Center for 18 years before retirement.
She was an avid reader, with romance novels and Westerns being her favorites. She also collected dragons and dinosaurs as well as Indian art and pottery. She enjoyed going to the movies, the zoo, and Disneyland with her children, and just loved going to the beach – even though she couldn’t swim.
She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished time spent with them. Mary was known for her cooking, especially her fudge, Christmas treats, shepherd’s pie and green-bean casserole.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Ivan Wayne Wells, Jr.; and her brothers, Roger Gilvin and Gary Gilvin.
Survivors include her children, Vicki Jones (Michael) and Jeanette Jeys; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great—great--grandchildren.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 N. Carriage Drive. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery.
