Marilee Hugentobler Bailey

November 5, 1956 ~ May 1, 2012
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, Marilee Hugentobler Bailey, passed away in her home on Tuesday, May 1 after a courageous, seven-month battle with cancer.
She was born November 5, 1956; the oldest child of Merz and Merilyn Hugentobler in Salt Lake City, UT.
She loved the five little brothers that followed. Her only complaint was when they would hide in the bathroom instead of helping with the dishes.
Her family moved to Monticello when she was in fourth grade. In high school, she was on the Drill Team, in Pep Club and involved in student government. She was an excellent student and was both an accomplish pianist and organist.
She was known as a true and loyal friend to many. She graduated from Monticello High School in 1975 and immediately went to Weber State University, graduating in 1977 with a RN degree. After graduation, she worked at St. Benedict’s Hospital in Ogden and LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.
In 1980, she married her best friend, Richard Max Bailey, in the Provo Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
They made their home in Monticello which they shared for the next 32 years. Together they had five children, including our sweet blessing, Jenna. She was a master at juggling both work and home, excelling at both.
She worked at San Juan Hospital for 25 years. During that time she also worked as a clinical nurse, piano teacher, dental assistant, home health nurse and nursing instructor.
In 2007, she started working for Southeastern Utah Health District and was sad to make babies cry by giving them their shots, but she relished in the opportunity to help raise healthy happy children.
She was especially passionate about her role with the Victims of Mill Tailings Exposure. She was a champion of educating people from Monticello about the increased risk of cancer, encouraging preventative screenings and helping with treatment when necessary.
She was eager to use the lessons she learned during her own cancer battle to help her clients make their experiences easier. Sadly, she never had the chance.
She loved the gospel and was very active in her LDS Ward; serving in the Primary, Relief Society, and Sunday School, but she especially loved working with the Young Women.
She also loved to do crafts of any sort and was an especially talented crotchetier. She often had her latest project in a bag next to her. She also loved to scrapbook, make porcelain dolls and knit. Her daughters will miss calling her to pick her brain on their latest projects.
She was known as comforter and caregiver. Our family is overwhelmed by the stories people have shared with us about how she has helped or befriended them. Many of these acts of service were previously unknown to us, though we were not surprised. We are sure there are many more which we will never hear.
She loved her two grandchildren, Max and Jillian, so much that she made everyone who came into her office or home look at their latest pictures. She was a fun grandma and loved to cook, play and sing with them. She is getting to know her two new grandbabies right now as they wait to come to this earth. No doubt she is teaching them things that only she can before they arrive this summer.
Marilee is preceded in death by her father, Merz W. Hugentobler; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Max and Bessie Bailey; and nephew, Travis Hugentobler.
She is survived by her husband, Rick Bailey;and children Kelli (Peter) Washburn, Heidi (Josh) Moss, Alisa, Ryan, and Jennalee; two grandchildren, Max and Jillian, with two more on the way; her mother, Merilyn Hugentobler; brothers, Mel (Jodie) Hugentobler, Mark (Angie) Hugentobler, Mike (Noi) Hugentobler, Merrill (Linda) Hugentobler, Mckay (Cori) Hugentobler; sisters-in-law Tanya (Evan) Lowry, Judy (Larry) Skinner, and Debra (Craig) Halls; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Victims of Mill Tailing Exposure, a cause she believed in and worked so hard to promote. Donations can be sent to VMTE, P.O. Box 127, Monticello, Utah 84535.
Card of thanks
We all wish to thank the community for all the love and support that has been shown to our family these past months and especially these last days.
The cards and emails that Marilee received while she was away from home always lifted her spirits. Marilee mentioned several times that she wanted to take a picture holding a sign that said “thank you” to try and express how much all the support meant to her, but we didn’t get it done so we improvised. Thank you again for all your love.
Rick Bailey
Kelli and Peter Washburn
Heidi and Josh Moss
Alisa Bailey
Ryan Bailey
Jennalee Bailey