Marybell Fenton Coon

Marybell Fenton Coon died quietly in her home on September 1, 2015 from colon cancer. She was born on July 9, 1925 to Robert Lincoln Fenton and Melita Bell McAllister in Parowan, UT, the fifth of six children. She grew up working in the family drug store, riding horses, enjoying the spectacular scenery and outdoor adventures afforded by her birthplace, and playing music. She attended the Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City, now Southern Utah University, for two years before moving to Salt Lake City where she graduated from the University of Utah with a major in English and a minor in music. After graduating, she taught on the English faculty while pursuing graduate studies. On Aug 23, 1950, she married the love of her life, Lester Wilding Coon in Parowan. They met while playing in the orchestra at the University of Utah. In 1953 they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Marybell was an English teacher and librarian at Skyline High School from its opening in 1962 until she retired in 1985. She and Lester were called to work in the Salt Lake Temple shortly before his passing on Sept 22, 1988. Although Lester’s death came before he began his calling, Marybell served faithfully for many years, presumably with her eternal companion at her side from beyond the veil. She loved fine British and American literature, and all types of handwork, especially knitting. She gave away hundreds of pairs of baby booties made using her signature pattern developed when her own children were babies. Marybell leaves a strong legacy of gracefully coping with adversity. Her enduring example through the years she cared for Cindy, her health challenges including the four cancers she survived from 1969 through 2014 and the common vicissitudes incident to old age, and 27 years of widowhood stand as a beacon of courage to all who knew her. Throughout she has been strengthened and has strengthened others by her testimony of the restored gospel, and the love of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Above all, Marybell loved and is loved by her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, five siblings and their spouses, her husband Lester Wilding Coon, and her oldest daughter Cynthia. Surviving are her daughters Nancy Ann and Susan Repp (Joe), grandsons Jason William Burns and Brad Joseph Burns (Maria Luigia Borsi), and great granddaughters Ambra Burns and Addison Marybell Burns.

Interment will be Tuesday, Sept 8 at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, following a viewing held at the mortuary from 10-noon that morning. A funeral and memorial service will be held in the spring when family can all gather. Friends and family are invited to share in any portion of the celebration of Marybell Fenton Coon’s life well lived.