Mari Burningham Winter December 8 1976 ~ January 16, 2023

She came into this world naked, dribbling a ball with a mouthful of box elder bugs and chicken poo (thinking they were hershey kisses). In later years she would become a force for good, reaching countless lives through her athleticism, service and charisma. 
Mari was born to Lee and Zan Burningham in Utah in 1976. Her athleticism started to show at a very early age. At 3 years old she would put on half time shows at the local High School’s basketball games, dribbling while the crowd counted each dribble; even attempting to go around her back.
As she grew, she devoted her time to playing basketball and volleyball, winning several Player of the Year and MVP awards at the local and state level. 
She lived in several places across Utah during her childhood including Monticello, Hooper (Kanesville), and North Logan. In each place she enjoyed time outdoors with her two younger brothers, Brenen and Bryan, especially splashing up Salt Creek in Canyonlands, and riding in the back of the truck. She was very creative, artistic, enjoyed reading, and could dunk a woman’s basketball. She always had an affinity for animals, caring for lizards, snakes, mice, dogs, and cats. She attended Sky View High School and as the 6’4” outside hitter led her team to be Utah Volleyball State Champs in 1995. She also played for the US National Junior Olympic volleyball team.
While her athletic performance was important, she also excelled in sportsmanship and service. As a collegiate athlete at BYU she had a following of elderly people that would show up early at the games, just to get hugs, interact, and laugh with her. She spent many of her off court hours working with the disabled. Her significant service efforts were recognized with the BYU Floyd Johnson Distinguished Service Award.
Mari’s collegiate career began at UCLA, playing both volleyball and basketball. After a second back operation, Mari transferred to Ricks College and became a volleyball First Team All-American, then finished off at BYU where she helped her volleyball team take 5th place in the nation. She earned a degree in Sociology and enjoyed studying criminal justice too.
In college she married her husband and they spent five years together. After her divorce, Mari moved to California to become the head volleyball coach at Redlands University, and more awards followed: NCAA West Region Coach of the Year. 
While in California, she married and divorced two wives before finding the love of her life and married the final time. Mari struggled for most of her life with spine issues. Her first back fusion was at the age of 16, a direct result from a basketball sports injury.
Over the years she had four more back fusions and a hip replacement. As her back deteriorated, she became unable to continue coaching. Although she was mostly bedridden, she continued working for her community, serving the unhoused community. She delivered food/supplies, raised funds, helped 58 people to get off the street and was awarded the Woman of Distinction Award by Senator Morrell. 
Mari moved to the Big Island of Hawaii in April of 2020. She spent much of her time in the ocean snorkeling, swimming with sharks, whales, hundreds of Mantas and an Eagle Ray. She made friends everywhere she went and was loved by her Hawaiian Ohana.
After suffering years of endless excruciating and severe debilitating pain, her life ended in Naalehu, Hawaii on January 16, 2023 at the age of 46. 
Mari is survived by her mother Zan Paul Burningham, father Lee (Colleen) Burningham, brothers Brenen Lee (Ginger) Burningham, and Bryan Paul (Natalie) Burningham, niece Pearl Burningham, nephew Fife Burningham, and the bonus family of Danny “Piggy” (Kim) Boyer, Carina “Brinkidinky” (Agnetta) Brink, and her Hawaiian Ohana family.
A portion of her ashes were spread in the ocean that she loved so dearly on January 29 at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, June 25 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Liberty Park pavilion in Salt Lake City, UT.

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