Maria Elaina Eason

Maria McLaughlin Eason, cherished mother, beloved sister, and loyal friend, passed away unexpectedly on September 30, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born on April 25, 1977, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Maria was a beacon of compassion and warmth to all who knew her.

Maria was the loving daughter of the late Diane Green McLaughlin and Donald McLaughlin. She spent her formative years in Colorado, surrounded by a family who instilled in her the values of kindness, resilience, and love. She was predeceased by her mother Diane, father Donald, Stepfather William Valdez, her maternal grandparents Elaine (Dinan) and Norris Green, her uncle Dinan M. Green, and her great-nephew Bentley Snyder.

Maria pursued higher education with dedication, earning a business degree that would serve as the foundation for her professional endeavors. Her career was characterized by diligence and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Yet, it was the personal qualities that she exhibited—her boundless generosity, her gentle spirit, and her unwavering love for others—that truly defined her life.

Maria's greatest pride and joy were her children, John Michael Lawrence Aragon, of Utah Charles Payton and Autumn Payton of Colorado, as well as her grandson Oliver. She found immense joy in her role as a mother and grandmother, cherishing every moment spent with her family. Her children were the center of her world, and she leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion that they will carry forward.

She is survived by her sister Michelle Snyder and husband Bob, and her brother Christopher McLaughlin and wife Andrea. Her nieces Dinan Sheffield and her husband Jeremy, Brayleigh Snyder and Breck, and nephews Robert Snyder and Keane Snyder held a special place in her heart, as did her great-niece Addison and great-nephew Xander. Her Aunt Terrie Green and Cousin Felicia Peeples were a constant source of support and affection in her life.

Maria's kindness extended beyond her family, touching the lives of many in her community. Her friends and loved ones will remember her as a caring individual who always put others before herself. Her legacy is one of love, and her memory will be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

In honor of Maria's generous spirit, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Her family finds comfort in knowing that her legacy of kindness will continue through acts of giving in her name.

Maria's life was a testament to the power of love and compassion, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew her. May her gentle soul rest in peace, reunited with her loved ones who have gone before her.