Mary Kathleen (Kathy) Hobby

7/12/44 ~ 1/29/2023

Mary Kathleen (Kathy) Hobby was born July 12, 1944, the second of three children to Veron E and Mina U (Wright) Moss in Clearfield, UT. Growing up, her father was manager of a cannery and she was able to experience a unique diversity as workers and producers were German and Japanese POWs and Latino migrant workers.

She carried the love and empathy gained through her childhood throughout her life. After high school, she studied nursing at Brigham Young University. Upon receiving her RN, she served in various capacities including emergency room, surgery, burn units, public health and mental health. But it was serving the mentally ill where she devoted most of her career.

It was, in fact, the forensic ward of the State Hospital where she met Edward Earle Hobby a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. “Earle the pearl” as her parents came to call him. They shared more than a dedication to the welfare of the vulnerable but also a dream of “five acres to freedom”. They married September 3, 1971. And after looking extensively at places they could afford to live, bought five acres of sagebrush in Sanpete County.

At first, they lived on the property in a horse trailer. Then a small structure they affectionately called the “Mini Barn”. Over time, they built a small house. Here, Earle’s children from a previous marriage, their own three children, other sheep man and the community would bear witness to the construction of their dream. One nail at a time.

Kathy initially worked for the public health department, but soon took a position with a fledgling mental health center with a small office in Ephraim, UT. She and her colleagues gradually built this small service into a comprehensive treatment system spanning the Six County area in the center of the state. It became Central Utah Mental Health (later Central Utah Counseling Center).

She was kind, brilliant and dedicated not only to their patients, but also her staff. Eventually she went back to school at the University of Utah to earn her Master’s of Public Administration. Upon completion, she accepted the position of Executive Director, the first woman to hold the position in the State of Utah.

In this capacity, she and her beloved team  forever changed the trajectory of mental health and substance abuse treatment in the area. She advocated fiercely and tirelessly with corrections, community leaders, law enforcement and other healthcare settings to improve quality of care. She was a loved and respected leader to her staff. They too benefited from her dedication and support. Sometimes in the face of tremendous resistance from outside the center.

Kathy served in this capacity while working alongside her husband. Building their farm and raising their children as competent and loving stewards of both. She took her compassion, skill and intelligence into this realm. Providing exceptional care to their animals even in the absence of research or guidance.

Upon retiring she moved into one of the roles she loved most. Being grandma. She doted on her grandchildren and spent hours playing, teaching and loving them.

She was preceded in death by her parents Veron and Mina, brothers Ted and Bill, sister June, husband Earle and stepson Everett. She is survived by a brother Steve (Jane) Moss. Her stepchildren, Anjanell (Mark) Burgess, Jeanmarie (Craig) Hutchison and Matthew Hobby. Her children Jennifer (Chris) Hobby-Dries, Melissa (Michael) Harper and Michael Hobby. As well as her beloved grandchildren and a standing legacy to the communities she served.

A visitation will be held February 18, 2023 from 2-4 pm at Rasmussen Mortuary in Mt Pleasant. With a graveside/interment and celebration of life for the “Daisy Girl” on a beautiful spring day. Date/time will be announced.