Mary Chipian Burton

Mary Chipian Burton, age 88, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026, surrounded by her children.

Mary was born March 1, 1937, to her immigrant Greek parents, Anast John Chipian and Effie Kokotas Chipian in Bingham Canyon, Utah. Mary was the final child of six, born in her parents’ bedroom above the Bingham Grocery Store. The delivery doctor was Russel G. Frazier, the attending physician on Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s third trip to Antarctica.

Mary fondly recalled her childhood years in Bingham Canyon, where she worked alongside her brother, her sisters and cousins at Chipian’s Food Store and the Bingham Grocery. She cherished the close-knit community and the deep bonds formed among the families who lived there. As Kennecott Mining expanded its operations and began purchasing property in Bingham Canyon, the Chipian Family relocated to Salt Lake City.

Mary began her high school education at Bingham High in Copperton, Utah and later graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City. Attending both schools allowed Mary to form lifelong friendships that she treasured throughout her life.

After high school, Mary attended Westminster College and not only earned her degree in elementary education but met her future husband Jack Burton from Park City, Utah.

Mary and Jack were married on June 18, 1961, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Salt Lake City. They both accepted teaching contracts with the Daggett County School District and arrived in August of 1961 to start teaching in Manila, Utah. Mary taught elementary education and Jack taught at the high school. Mary and Jack made lifelong friends within the Manila community and the students they taught. Mary and Jack maintained a home in Manila, throughout their lives, a place they loved and where they started their marriage and teaching careers.

Mary and Jack bought a small farm in Layton, Utah. They spent 35 years raising sheep, goats, a few cows, and planted an amazing garden that included peach trees. Mary made a famous “peach pie” from that small orchard and won the Utah State Fair Pie Contest. The kicker was Mary didn’t know she had even entered the competition; her children had secretly entered her pie in the contest!

Mary was a lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Church and active participant in the Greek Community of Salt Lake. Mary sang in the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir for over 50 years and served with the women of Philoptochos, the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Mary embraced her Greek Heritage, teaching her children and grandchildren the love of Greece, the Hellenic Culture and sharing it through song, dance, language and cooking. Mary also volunteered at the Salt Lake Greek Festival, cooking, baking and working the entrance booth.

Mary was proceeded in death by her husband of 53 years Jack Burton, her parents Anast John and Effie K. Chipian, her siblings and their spouses: John and Angie Chipian, Aspacia “Espie” and Gus Forbus, Hellen “Kelly” and Joe Daugherty, Diakonissa Catherine “Katie” and Rev. Deacon Peter Alex, Efigenia “Virginia” and Tony Oneida, and daughter-in-law Holly Burton.

Mary is survived by her four children, Patrick (Shelly) Burton, Jason (Terri) Burton, Christopher (Suzanne) Burton, Katherine (George) Manousakis, her grandchildren, Brooke, Abby, Carlee, Ashton (AJ), Zachary, Maria, Mihali, Ben, Julie, Ryan, Shelly and great grandchildren, Christina, Jude, Leo, Helix, Ben, Sophia, Isabella.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Rose Murray and Ellen Christensen of Aspire Hospice Care for the exceptional grace, skill and compassion they provided to our mother.

Funeral services will be held Thursday February 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 279 South 300 West Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends and Family may visit Wednesday February 4^th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Millcreek, Utah with Trisagion service at 7:00 PM. Interment will follow the funeral service at Mt Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake at the address above.

Axios Mama!  Well done faithful service to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!