Marilyn Redd Rowley

May 30, 1932 ~ December 15, 2021

Marilyn Redd Rowley, 89, died December 15, 2021. She was born May 30, 1932 in Moab, UT to L. Frank and Nettie R. Redd.

From them she learned to prize education and the arts, enjoy hard work, have faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and adore San Juan County’s wild beauty.

Family always came first to Marilyn, but she drew that circle large, including extended family, her community, and any newcomer who needed one.

Marilyn grew up in Monticello during the Great Depression and World War II. A member of the Greatest Generation, she exemplified the qualities of thrift, practicality, and doing things right. She taught her family to “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”

After graduating as Valedictorian of Monticello High School, Marilyn attended Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, and traveled across Europe in BYU’s first Study Abroad program.

As a young woman, she was both elegant and outdoorsy – a scholar, musician, and Rodeo Queen.

After leaving college to help family in Monticello, she was paired with Doyle B. Rowley to dance in a Gold and Green Ball floor show.

Romance bloomed, and Doyle and Marilyn married in the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 29, 1954. They spent the first 67 years of their eternity together in Monticello.

Doyle, who survives her, treated her with unfailing adoration and gives her the credit for any and all successes. She told family often how lucky she was to find such a good man. For them, life’s challenges and joys were a team sport.

Doyle and Marilyn have four children: Celia, Klaire, Leslie, and Eric. They were taught that work comes before play and must be done well — but play is important.

Marilyn loved and believed in family adventures and could pack a tasty picnic in nothing flat. The family has fond memories of jeeping, camping, skiing, and traveling with their parents.

She made sure they had music lessons and other opportunities. Marilyn insisted that they value and sacrifice for higher education, and she never stopped correcting their grammar. (Yours, too.)

She expected them to love and support each other always, and they do.

Marilyn knew how to make much from little and turned their simple home into a lovely, welcoming haven.

She had a special knack for turning garden produce and economical ingredients into delicious, soul-satisfying meals.

Church and community service came naturally to Marilyn. She was a member of Monticello Second Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served as Relief Society President.

She directed the congregational singing and ward choir for 40 years, accompanied by her sister, Maxine R. Frost, at the organ. Marilyn worked in the Monticello Temple for 13 years, serving as an ordinance worker and temple secretary.

She was an ardent participant in the San Juan County Fair and won many ribbons. She took a turn as director of the fair and was not above guilting family members into participation.

Doyle and Marilyn were members of the Monticello Community Concert Association from its beginnings and stalwart volunteer workers for Blue Mountain Entertainment, its successor.

She entertained many visiting artists in the home, enriching lives.

The family is humbled by Marilyn’s keen intellect and formidable administrative skills. She worked for the Bureau of Land Management for 25 years, rising from clerk-typist to manager of the office and various programs. She claimed not to be good at games but usually won, even into her final weeks.

Marilyn never failed family when she was needed. Before the children were born, she cared for the children of her brother Bennion Redd after his first wife, Marge, died.

She loved all her nieces and nephews dearly but kept a special place in her heart for Grayson, Scott, Jana, and Jana’s boys.

She took loving care of her sister Lucy, making many trips to Washington, D.C. to attend to her needs.

For over seven years, Marilyn spent at least one week per month in Cache Valley, helping Eric and Brenda (Eric’s wife) care for their severely disabled son, Logan.

Eric and Brenda returned that favor, taking their mom and dad into their Monticello home after Marilyn suffered a fall last July that led to the discovery of terminal cancer.

Since then, the Rowley siblings have worked together to care for them there.

Marilyn loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a legendary “baby-whisperer,” and a force for good in each child’s life. Their big, happy family enjoyed wonderful times at the 6R cabin, which they built together in 1990 among the ponderosas at the base of Blue Mountain.

Marilyn and Doyle’s long driveway was often filled with children riding the bikes and trikes they collected.

The 24th of July was a special time for the family to watch Monticello’s parade and fireworks from their front yard. She taught them all the need to know about life, faith, and family togetherness.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Doyle B. Rowley; a sister, Helen Klaire (Peter) Binder; children and spouses Celia (Walt) Baker, Klaire (Robert) Dustin, Leslie Buchanan, and Eric (Brenda) Rowley; 13 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother F. Bennion Redd (whose generous help gave the newlyweds a good start in life); sisters Maxine R. Frost, Rae R. Smith, Lucy Redd, and Jo Redd; and two grandsons, Curtis Buchanan and Logan Rowley.

Funeral services, under the direction of San Juan Mortuary, will be Monday, December 20 at 11 a.m. in the Monticello North Chapel, 347 North 200 West.

Friends may call at the chapel from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the day of the service. The wearing of masks will be appreciated.

Interment will follow the service at the Monticello Cemetery.

The funeral will be broadcast via Zoom. Visit sanjuanmortuary.com to access the link.

San Juan Record

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