Martha Ann Lindley McClenny

Martha Ann Lindley McClenny, 70, of Sandy, Utah passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026. She was unfortunately diagnosed with sporadic CJD in August of 2025. CJD is a fast-moving disease of the brain with no known treatment options currently. It is also rare, affecting only one in a million people in the US per year. We hope you will remember Martha and the many others who have suffered from a rare disease when thinking of the need for funding for research of rare diseases in the future.

Martha was the fifth child of seven born May 26, 1955, in Guymon, OK to Benson and Margaret (Long) Lindley.  She attended Optima Elementary School and graduated from Guymon High School in 1973.  She was a graduate of Oklahoma State University in 1977 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Martha was employed over the years at several elementary schools in Oklahoma, Texas, and in Utah. Kindergarten was her favorite grade and age, and she was fortunate to be able teach these children for a majority of her career. She used to tell the kids that she “grew up with the dinosaurs” just to watch their eyes get big and hear their giggles. She taught at Blessed Sacrament Elementary in Sandy, UT for fifteen years prior to retiring. Even after retirement, she couldn’t stay out of the classroom. Martha volunteered as an assistant teacher to many different classrooms and school districts over the last fourteen years with the Foster Grandparent program based in Salt Lake City, UT. We are so thankful to them for allowing her the opportunity to continue giving her gift of teaching to children after retirement. Martha was never one to sit still and she truly loved volunteering.

Martha was a wonderful mother to Megan, her only child. Martha “grew up on the farm” and passed her love of animals on to Megan who continues to ride horses and take in as many rescue dogs as she can. Martha was by far the best Nana that anyone could ask for. She was the kind of Nana who would drive to your house at 2AM when your baby wouldn’t stop crying. She adored her two grandchildren and could always be found at their home. She attended as many of their activities as she could and read the best stories aloud. Her love and passion for children will always be remembered by her family and the countless lives she touched through teaching. If you ever found Martha sitting, she was watching her “stories” (soap operas) in the afternoon or Wheel of Fortune. She enjoyed the game channel and playing along with the contestants. Her friends were some of her greatest treasures and she valued their get togethers whenever they could squeeze them in. We will always miss Martha’s presence, infectious laughter, and endless love.

Those remaining to cherish fond memories, are; Megan (Geoff) Frattalone and her two grandchildren, Benson Blaze Frattalone and Madison Ann Frattalone, Sandy, UT. Also remaining are her six siblings: Michael (Linda) Lindley, Amarillo, TX, Kevin (Saundra) Lindley, Mission Viejo, CA, Rev. Phillip Lindley, Amarillo, TX, Mary (Stacey) Erker, Salina, KS, Lawrence (Sherry) Lindley, Guymon, OK, and Thomas Lindley, Optima, OK. Martha also leaves behind many nieces and nephews: Justin, Joshua, Kyle, Michelle, Steven, Chris, Catherine, Sarah and John along with great nieces and nephews plus many cousins: George Jr, Sally, Frances, Louis Jr, Robert, Patricia, Steven, and Carolyn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Benson and Margaret Lindley and many aunts and uncles, (Martha, Berneice and Paul, George and Lois, Irene, and Louis Sr and Esther), cousins Pat and Steve Lucas, Jim Long, and 2^nd cousins Daniel Schwartz and Callie Norman.

Our family would like to extend a special thanks to the Intermountain Hospice team for the loving care they provided Martha and her family. Derek Angle, who assisted Martha in numerous ways and became her close friend. Sara Angle, Michelle Aucoin, and Melissa Stevenson who stepped in and helped with the kids and anything our family needed when life got overwhelming. Thank you all, it truly takes a village.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 300 E 11800 South, Draper, UT on July 14th with a visitation hour from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the mass beginning at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, Martha’s family is starting a memorial/scholarship in her name for children in need. If you would like to donate, please reach out to Megan ([email protected]). Memorials can also be sent to the CJD Foundation (https://cjdfoundation.org/donate/) for continued research and in the hopes of finding a cure.