Mimi Muray Levitt (1943-2025)
Michael (Mimi) Muray Levitt, long-time resident of Alta and Moab, UT, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Sunrise at Holladay, Millcreek, UT. She had been a resident at Sunrise since August, 2024. She was 82 years old.
She married Lodge owner William (Bill) Levitt on Dec. 17, 1982, in Salt Lake City. In 1980, Mimi’s passion for Alta led her, along with Bill Levitt and attorney Pat Shea, to create the Alta Defense Fund, which a year later, turned into Friends of Alta. She became the organization’s president, and helped develop programs focused on environmental education and preservation (Mimi Levitt).
In her leisure time, she enjoyed skiing in Alta and pursued golfing, tennis, and horseback riding in Moab. She had a particular love of dogs and made a home for several rescue dogs over the years.
She is survived by three stepsons: John Levitt, San Francisco, CA; Bino Levitt (Marty Jones), Haiku, HI; Toby Levitt (Heather), Salt Lake City, UT; a stepdaughter, Cassie Dippo (Marcus), Salt Lake City, UT; a stepdaughter-in-law, Viki Levitt, Alameda, CA; two sisters-in-law, Pam Muray, Moab, UT, and Katherine Levitt, Savannah, GA; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, who died in December, 2009, she was pre-deceased by her brother, Christopher Muray; her stepson, James Levitt; her brother-in-law, Robert Levitt; and her sister-in-law, Helen Levitt.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Friends of Alta, PO Box 8162, Alta, UT 84092 (Donate | Friends of Alta | Alta) or North Country School, 4382 Cascade Rd., Lake Placid, NY 12946 (Donate to North Country School - Lake Placid, NY).
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, August 31, 2025 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Alta Lodge. We invite all who knew Mimi to join us in celebrating her life.
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Mimi will be greatly missed. She was the best!
ReplyDeleteAs part of Mimi’s life path over the last year I helped her move from Moab to Salt Lake. This also involved downsizing, which included, my cleaning out her Lodge apartment and files. There were times when I felt like a voyeur - opening drawers or e-mails not knowing what to expect (no dirty little secrets were found 😊).
ReplyDeleteThis process has given me even more insight into the loving, caring and warm person that I’ve known for over 45 years. Her long-term relationships with individuals and families at the Lodge, in the Town of Alta, and the environmental community became even clearer through the series of cards, letters and photos she collected and kept. The collections included Christmas cards of kids growing up and now bringing their kids to the Lodge, candid shots of her enjoying the company of folks, thank-you cards for special things she had done, as well as the binders of remembrances about her beloved Bill.
She truly embodied the spirit that if you give joy it is returned in abundance.
Such a flood of memories. Those of you who are part of the family, I send my most sincere condolences. Mimi was always a classy woman with a kind heart. May she rest in peace.
DeleteMimi (and Bill) made the Lodge into the truly unique and special place that it is for so many people. Mimi's warmth would light up the Sitz or the dining room, and her greeting upon your return to the Lodge (and there was always a return to the Lodge if you were the right sort of human) was always heartfelt and welcoming. The Lodge and Alta were fortunate to have her leadership, constancy, and dedication for 45 years. I am grateful to have known her for much of that time, and will be eternally appreciative for the work that Mimi and Bill did in preserving and protecting Little Cottonwood and the experience that is Alta. I like to think that Mimi and Bill are together with all the rescue dogs they saved over the years, enjoying a well deserved rest.
ReplyDeleteI first was introduced to Alta, the Lodge, and Mimi by a high school friend of mine in the early 1970s. I was able to revisit the Lodge a few times in college. Thereafter, medical school, residency, marriage, kids kept me away for about 20 years. When our youngest was now old enough to attend Alta ski school, we tried to book at the lodge. There was no room. So we planned to ski Snowbird. (2000?)
ReplyDeleteAn opening became available. Mimi remembered me, and sent what we now call snail mail to offer a room. That Mimi could remember that high school and college kid from the 70s, and hunt us down is a great testimony.
Though we now own a condo two valleys to the north, Alta, and the lodge are still very much our home. Mimi will be dearly missed.
Laura Andrews Alberton
ReplyDeleteShe had a way of making everyone feel special and part of the Alta Family. She could work magic on her big reservation white board. It always worked out sometimes with a room change or two. I remember her organizing a Stabutik(sp?) to get more snow so people would have a great vacation. She was an ultimate hostess. My kids loved her dogs and the jokes of the day. We even named our cat Mimi to keep Alta in our lives in California. Our condolences to her family. May our memories of her bring us joy. What an amazing lady.
Mimi was such a delight in my eyes and in my heart. As a handy at the lodge, I loved making nice solid snow steps up to the slopes as it was such a small effort that seemed to make her happy. I enjoyed hearing about her history at the lodge and elsewhere and always enjoyed her company. She was most often the person I would pass on my visits to the post office bundled up carrying the large backpack filled with mail. I always enjoyed helping her out throughout the years but it was rare that she ever seemed to need much help as she was as tough as they come. If only I could have solved her ski boot issue to have allowed her to ski as much as she had wanted to. She will be missed in the most tremendous of ways. Her spirit will continue to uplift the lodge and the hearts of those who have been lucky enough to have known her.
ReplyDeleteI first met Mimi in 2002 after covering the Olympics as a photographer for the New York Times. My colleague, Kate Zernike, a reporter for the New York Times who was my roommate during the Olympics told me that I must come to the lodge and meet Bill and Mimi. I had planned to take a month off after the Olympics, rent a car and travel around the west, skiing in various places. After meeting Bill and Mimi and being so warmly welcomed at the lodge for dinner with Kate and family one night, and also experiencing the incomparable Alta skiing I left to head to Telluride and Purgatory and Vail and so on. However, I couldn’t get Alta out of my mind and I called the lodge to see if by chance they had room for me at the last minute for my last week. Mimi‘s immediate response was “come on back, we’ll find a place for you“. I did, and I have returned every year ever since. I cannot imagine the Lodge without Mimi‘s grace and calm and encouragement for getting out there and enjoying the mountain. She will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteDeepest condolences to the whole family and everyone at the lodge. Mimi has been a constant in my life for forty years through Alta Lodge. Her and Bill’s constant presence at the Lodge for our annual family visit was a true gift of consistency that gave me balance. She truly cared for everyone that walked through the doors at Alta Lodge and you felt it through her greetings and conversations. She is the reason that I came to work at the Alta Lodge! During a family stay, Mimi visited our table in the dining room and said enthusiastically that I should come and work at the Lodge. My parents, loving everything about Alta and Alta Lodge, thought it would be a great in-between, one season, opportunity. Little did they know that I would still be here, entering my 20th season, raising two children (one who interviewed her for the Altatude), and still (or again) working at Alta Lodge. I definitely have Mimi to thank for putting the idea into the air, teaching me what ultimate customer service looks like and welcoming me into the family that is the Alta Lodge. She will be truly missed.
ReplyDeleteI remember the winter The Mayor passed. It was a difficult time for everyone, but Mimi rose to the hour with courage and grace. Mimi embodied the best of Alta. She was a generous spirit, thoughtful and kind, but also ferociously indomitable. I remember a long weekend I spent with Mimi in Moab a decade+ ago. We were poring through her father's archives, and building a website for his photographic work. I didn't know it was possible to drink so much tea throughout the day, but at five, in true Alta fashion, we switched promptly to brandy in equally copious measure!
ReplyDeleteMimi I will you. I will miss your mischievous humor and your sparkling stories. May the snow forever fall light and deep.
A favorite memory
ReplyDeleteI am a former employee at the Alta Lodge, and I have to say that Mimi made the employees feel as valued as the guests. I have a favorite memory. Late June, mid-seventies. The lifts have been closed, but there is still plenty of snow. Late morning Mimi and I kick-stepped our way up High Rustler. At the top we sit down and wait for the sun to soften the snow. This would take about another thirty minutes. So I smoked a joint and Mimi smoked a cigarette. When the snow was just right we skied down the perfect corn.
I also visited Mimi in Moab several times.Her passing leaves me with such a sadness. She was a generous and gracious soul.
Susan Rennau
Sending my sincere condolences to all the Levitt family. We still proudly display the wonderful photographs by Mimi's father Nicholas in our Mexico home. I hope she is remembered in every wonderful wildflower. So many memories but mostly her kindness, grace and friendship. It is the end of an era at the Alta Lodge.
ReplyDeleteI was honored to work at the Alta Lodge most of the '80. Mimi, you were a fixture, walking in with your beloved Nikki, who will greet you in heaven. You always made me feel welcome and appreciated. Truly the best years of my life, and I am fortunate to of had you be a big part of that. The Levitt family, the Alta community, all of you past employees and the world are all better because of your presence. You and Alta are in my memories daily, and will always be there. Rest in Peace my friend 🙏 Give Nikki a big scratching behind her ears for me. 🐾🐕
ReplyDeleteI first remember Mimi from when she was an Alta Lodge “Deskie” in the late 1960s. I was a teenage guest and, to me, as a Deskie, Mimi was a member of the elite core of Alta Emps. Most Alta Emps could do their jobs - cleaning rooms, carrying luggage, shoveling snow, kitchen prep - primarily out of guest sight. However, the Deskies were on view, dealing with guests (the good and the bad of it) throughout their whole shift. On top of that, in those days, the Deskies had to run the telephone switchboard from behind the front desk, manually connecting each phone call from one guest room either to another room or to an operator for an outside line to place a phone call. Managing the switchboard is what so impressed me about Mimi from my teenage perspective. Around dinner time we kids were always calling our parents, our friends or different rooms with questions about the evening ahead. Each of those calls had to go through the front desk switchboard. Someone had to connect the wires to the right place – and likely the lobby was also full of Après skiers wanting some thing or another from the front desk. Mimi was a rockstar at keeping her cool with all the demands coming from all directions. She stood out with her friendly and gracious demeanor. And she maintained that warm and wonderful disposition throughout her life as she welcomed to people to the Alta Lodge. She will be missed.
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor Bill always gave a speech to us "emps" at the beginning of the season ending with "the only thing better than working at The Lodge was being a guest" and he was right. Bill and Mimi and the entire Levitt family always made sure the emps and guests enjoyed their stay no matter how long or brief it was. Between the guests serving Christmas breakfast, or the "X-emp" party in April, Bill and Mimi made the Alta Lodge a legend. Life long friends were made at the Alta Lodge. I spent 4 days with Mimi in Moab a few years ago, she was still the warmest hostess you could ever meet. She loved Alta and life and it showed.
ReplyDeleteCarol Hrobon Piovesan
Mimi was a special person. I will always remember her lovely smile and graciousness towards the emps and guests at the lodge. My thoughts are with her family and close friends.
ReplyDeleteTommy Mulvoy
What a gift to the world and to Alta was Mimi Levitt. Mimi was so full of kindness, warmth, humor and grace. She also had the resolve and the integrity to run Alta Lodge with strong business values and equally strong human values, and to defend the very best of Alta through Friends of Alta. Mimi was a passionate lover of her family and her Lodge, and of people, dogs, mountains and skiing. Let's raise a glass to Mimi tonight.
ReplyDeleteHer warm smile was what captivated you immediately. Our family has called Alta Lodge our ski home during the last 12+ years, so we know it will not be the same without Mimi. While she will be missed, I also know that she will be remembered fondly! Here's to Mimi - a life well lived!
ReplyDeleteMimi was beautiful inside & out!
ReplyDeleteMimi was always sharing happiness; her presence lit up a room, often the Sitzmark. She embodied hospitality, and was always keen to learn everyone's story and backgrounds and make them feel at home. A number of times when we would pass in the hallway to her apartment behind the Sitz, she would pause and expressed her gratitude and appreciation that I was part of this powder family. It often made me teary eyed; her words pierced through me like she was hugging my soul. She truly made Alta Lodge a home away from home for everyone who loves Alta. It is sad to think of a season in Alta without Mimi; may the snow gods bless us with an extra dose of deep powder in her remembrance.
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind and gracious soul was Mimi. She welcomed me to the Alta Lodge family as a youngster and never lost her sincere interest in my family and for that matter everyone she encountered. As a deskie in the early eighties I'd watch in awe as she connected with every guest who arrived. They were all either old friends or soon to be old friends. She was magic.
ReplyDeleteMimi was such a welcoming and warm person to me as a guest at Alta Lodge. I loved to read the cartoons she posted by the front desk. She would stop to talk to me about them (“That’s a good one, isn’t it?”). I loved having her dog walk around the lodge. She will be missed dearly.
ReplyDeleteHaving worked as a handyman at the AL even for just one season in 1981 just out of college, changed my life. I knew what a true ski lodge should be like after working there. I have traveled extensively with a focus on skiing and I still always measure where I'm staying against the Alta Lodge. Mimi was the soul of the Alta Lodge and she worked hard (along with the entire Levitt family and staff) to make it the way it is. Mimi recruited me onto the Friends of Alta board which I was involved with for many years. She was uncompromising in her passion to preserve Albion basin, LCC and in preserving Alta's true soul. Mimi found true happiness with her love of Bill Levitt and the Alta Lodge and her extended family. What a wonderfully life she led. We will miss you Mimi.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mimi. What a gorgeous, kind, sweet angel. I was a handyman '84-'85. Many fine memories of Mimi. She welcomed me into her bridge circle, playing with Frank from Goldminer's Daughter and others. I recall parts of the kitchen heights underwear party that year. Marcus in his "Home of the Whopper" splendor. I was adorned in a down filled jockstrap gifted to me for a Denali expedition earlier that year. Early morning hours, I was in the Emp room with Brad Amelino when Mimi wandered through on a nature call with Nikki. I wrapped her up in a bear hug. Brad was saying, "Rob, let the nice lady go." Eventually I did, and she continued on her way. The next morning, not at my best, I wandered through the Emp room to start carrying bags for the weekly Saturday guest swap. On my way through, I heard someone say, "Rob, after what you did last night, you're fired." It took a few steps for the words to register. I was face to face with Mimi, when the color in my face drained. She smiled and handed me a snickers bar. What a wonderful person and friend. Well lived, my friend. Godspeed.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to imagine Alta Lodge without Mimi. Even when she was in Moab, her spirit filled the Lodge. And that spirit will remain with us there... We won't be able to attend the celebration of her life but out thoughts will be there with everyone there who will be celebrating her.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite, funny, memory of Mimi was "practice day" for the summer dining room in Summer 1983. Mimi asked me to explain pate for her table. I said "it's like liverwurst, only better." She stopped dinner and asked everyone to join in a "teachable moment". To this day, that's how I describe pate. ;-) RIP
ReplyDeleteI had always heard about the powder of Alta, so when I had been living in San Francisco for nearly two years and was about to travel to Chile to work in Portillo, I had to go to Alta. So in March 1968 I set off in my old studebaker and by some wonderful chance, her big end collapsed as l arrived at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. After several days of wondering what to do, Bill Shorter offered me a job in the dining room at Alta Lodge. And of course, Mimi, who was working with Lynne Christianson on the desk welcomed me with open arms, and from that moment on I felt I'd know Mimi for ever. My whole skiing life changed forever - skiing with all the local boys, hiking over to what would be Snowbird, I was learning every day and loving the legendary powder which is unique to Alta. Luckily the garage took nearly a month to repair stude when I sadly had to continue my travels. Mimi said that I must come back as soon as I could.
ReplyDeleteAmazingly, having married David in 1972 and coming to work in New York in 1973, it didn't take much to persuade him that we must call in at Alta in the summer of 74, when Frank invited us to go and work at Alta for the next winter. Mimi couldn't have been more welcoming and we spent the happiest winter, staying in the cupboard at the top of the stairs for our first six weeks. Skiing our socks off, David assistant maitre d' with Bill Schwarz and me on the desk, with Mimi always laughing and skiing with us. Mimi loved playing poker and loved it when we returned to Alta with our dear friend Colin Orr-Ewing who introduced her to the hand called 'crack the shithouse door boys' when you threw your cards to the other side of the Sitz bar and the best hand picked up won!! Happy days and happy memories. We brought our three children to Alta in 1992 and Mimi was her beautiful self and gave us the most wonderful welcome. We feel blessed to have know Mimi and her extended family and we cannot imagine Alta Lodge without her. Rest in peace Mimi and inspire us to be half as good as you.