Evelyn T Marshall

Evelyn Alice Thompson Marshall passed away at home, Thursday, June 9, 2016. Her family is a witness that during her many years upon the earth, she sought always to remember her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and endeavored to live by His every word.

She was born March 31, 1930, in Bountiful, Utah to Leander and Ida Merz Thompson, and was the youngest of eight children. With a thankful heart, she often spoke of her happy childhood growing up in Davis County amongst her wonderful family and friends and remembered the impact of the Depression and World War II upon them all. She loved her years at Davis High School and graduated with the class of 1948.

Evelyn also graduated from the University of Utah and, after a whirlwind romance, married Richard James Marshall on August 20, 1952 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Early on they determined their course "to seek first the kingdom of God".

Her life has revolved around her family and her active service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She labored with Richard and their seven children in the land Down Under when he was called to preside over the Great Australia West Mission from 1971-1974. She was enriched by the association with the missionaries and members of the church in Australia. She was the perfect "Mission Mum." Yoyangamalde!

Evelyn was a gifted musician, teacher, and writer. She served in a variety of musical callings, as ward Relief Society president, and as a member of the General Relief Society Board. She spent many years writing for the Church Curriculum Department and as a member of the Church Correlation Committee. Evelyn felt great reverence for the opportunity and responsibility to teach, read and write. She loved her many years of service in the Salt Lake Temple and had a deep gratitude for the power and protection derived there.

Evelyn's life was a gift to her family. She had been a writer for the Deseret News and was a qualified high school English teacher, but she felt that her most important work was within the walls of her own home. Her eight children, thirty-eight grandchildren, and ever increasing great grandchildren were a source of continuous joy.

Her family remembers her for many things. Days upon days at their mountain home on the Weber River, consistent family home evenings, bingo parties, clever gifts and endless pancakes in a variety of entertaining shapes are all cherished memories. We, as her family, adore her for her strength, her fun loving ways, her sense of humor and her endless love. We are happy in the knowledge that it will be a short separation until we enjoy her company again.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Stephen (Jan), Matthew (Tamara), David, Mary (Tony) Jolley, Sarah Naylor, Martha (David) Sloan, Nathan (Chris), her 38 beloved grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Douglas Thompson, and sisters, Katheryn Barker and Barbara Henrie. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her brothers, Merz, Phillip, and Grant, her sister, Jean Clayton and her infant son, Joseph.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Valley View 9th Ward (1925 Gundersen Lane). A viewing will be held Tuesday, June 14th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (3401 S. Highland Drive). A viewing will also be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Valley View 9th Ward. Interment will be in the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

We would like to thank the IHC Hospice Care and most especially Deb Van Wagoner, who in recent months was a companion and friend to Evelyn at home and gave of herself with unselfish love in the full-time care of our mother.