The Art Box - Episode 22 - Meet Mary Grace Swenson

Mary was born and raised in Bountiful, Utah with two older brothers.  She graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Her career was in Human Resources and Training Development for 20 years.  

At the age of 28, she had her one and only child, a beautiful son. 

Mary resided in Davis County until 2013, when she ventured out to live in Mesquite, NV where her beautiful mother and best friend were living. 

She started house cleaning and pet sitting businesses.  She was thriving, making new friends, and enjoying the beautiful sunsets.  Mary had a wonderful companion, Booper, a 100 lb. Mastiff.  She also started volunteering at the Mesquite Animal Shelter and fostering adoptable pets through We Care for Animals.  It was in Mesquite that she sang karaoke for the first time.  She was hooked and so blessed to have found so many wonderful friends, some of whom she now considers family.

In 2016, she found herself on a journey of cancer: stage 3B melanoma. Her life seemed to revolve around confusion, doctor appointments, scans, surgeries, treatment, medications, and side effects.  Mary’s cancer spread throughout her body resulting in stage 4 metastatic melanoma.  At this time her body was tired, and her mind focused on making peace with her new life (and the possibility of death) and the wonderful blessings she had been afforded throughout her life. 

Mary moved to St George, Utah in 2021 after her mother suddenly passed.  She had a wonderful fiancé and was in remission!  Yes, life changes very quickly.

She met some great people at the Mesquite Cancer HELP Society and has been working there for four years as the Executive Director. Her life has found purpose again!

She married a wonderful man and has a beautiful six-year-old granddaughter who is her Angel.

Mary’s passion for helping others makes her life busy and whole.  She is so grateful for the people in her life, animals, sunsets, music, and all of God's artwork.

***Life is Art, Paint your picture***