Marcia Lynne Hutchinson McAllister

Marcia was born the oldest of three daughters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her sisters were Karen and Marilyn. She devoted her life to her family and was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Marcia’s love for her husband, Francis Ralph McAllister, was one of the defining joys of her life. Sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1963, they shared a devoted partnership marked by faith, family, service and adventure. Together they built a home where their children felt loved, encouraged, and deeply connected.

Over the years, they made their home in many places, including San Francisco, California; Staten Island, New York; Summit, New Jersey; Short Hills, New Jersey; Tucson, Arizona; New York City, New York; Billings and Columbus, Montana; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Mesquite, Nevada.

Marcia is survived by her husband, Francis, and her seven children: Christie (Kevin) Lash, Trisha (Kaash) McDonald, Susanne (Michael) Perkins, Francis (Trina) McAllister Jr., Amy (Rod) McKinlay, Elizabeth McAllister [Powell], and Richard McAllister. She also leaves behind 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immeasurable joy and pride.

To know Marcia was to know someone who embraced life with curiosity, determination, and love. Francis’ professional opportunities opened doors to travel as Marcia accompanied him around the world to more than 30 countries, including meeting dignitaries and embracing those experiences with grace, curiosity and warmth. From Russia, China, South Africa, Australia and even the White House, she eagerly explored different cultures, landscapes, and histories, collecting stories and memories that she loved to share with her family. One favorite quote was, “I just love London in the Fall.”

Marcia was also a gifted and generous homemaker whose hands were rarely still. Her seven children would sit around the island in the Short Hills kitchen, waiting for the hot homemade bread to come out of the oven. It was so good she had to make several loaves just to have some left over for the next day after her children had enjoyed slices smothered with butter and fresh preserved jam. Over the years, she lovingly crocheted baby blankets for countless infants, including many for her own grandchildren. Each blanket was created with patience and love, becoming a treasured keepsake for the families who received them.

Marcia was an excellent student and attended the University of Utah. A lifelong lover of books, Marcia found great happiness in reading. Her extensive home library stands as a testament to her intellectual curiosity and her belief that there was always more to learn. Each of the books in her library is marked with the date it was read and a critical note of “Excellent,” “Good,” or the unfortunate “Boring.” Her love of books also included a deep devotion to scripture study.

She served faithfully in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a young adult, Marcia served as a full-time missionary in the Great Lakes Mission (Francis also served in this mission). One beloved calling was as the “Friendly Lady” in Primary in Short Hills, New Jersey. She made an apron with many pockets, each holding little prizes, and would tell stories from the Church magazine The Children’s Friend. If you could finish her story correctly, you could choose a prize from one of the pockets. She was a celebrity in our little ward, as was her husband by association.

Marcia taught early morning seminary for many years and was known to be able to provide a verbal chronological summary of the entire Book of Mormon from memory. She instilled that same love of learning and faith in her children and grandchildren through both her example and her encouragement.

Despite physical challenges throughout her life, Marcia never allowed limitations to define her. Her resilience and determination inspired everyone around her. She taught her children to ski, demonstrating that courage, perseverance, and a positive attitude can overcome many obstacles. Her example became one of life’s most important lessons for her family.

Perhaps one of Marcia’s most cherished traditions was her dedication to letter writing. Long before emails and text messages became commonplace, she maintained deep and meaningful connections through handwritten letters. Month after month, she faithfully wrote to her children, grandchildren, extended family, and many dear friends. These letters offered encouragement, wisdom, humor, and love, and became treasured keepsakes that many family members and friends have carefully preserved over the years. Her letters were treasured not only for what they said, but for the beautiful hand in which they were written.

Every letter carried her unmistakable signature closing: “Love you, Mom/Grandma/Marcia, XOXOXO.” Those simple words captured the essence of who she was, someone whose love knew no bounds and whose presence brought comfort across every distance. Her daily GIF texts brightened all our days and reminded us of her steadfastness.

Marcia’s legacy is one of unwavering love, resilience, generosity, and connection. The values she taught, the memories she created, and the love she shared will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. For our sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend the path was often steeper and longer than it appeared to others, yet she kept moving forward with remarkable strength. Where others may have walked a mile, Marcia quietly ran a marathon, meeting each challenge with courage, strength and determination.

Among Marcia’s deepest and most enduring loves was her devotion to Francis, whose companionship remained one of the great blessings of her life. Though her family mourns her passing, they find comfort in the countless lives she touched and in the enduring example she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Funeral Service Information

Viewing will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 7PM to 9PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 2080E 5165 S Holladay, UT 84117.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 11AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 2080 E 5165 S Holladay, UT 84117. Family and friends are invited to gather beforehand for a viewing beginning at 9:30AM.

Interment will follow at The Salt Lake Cemetery, located at 200N St E, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. Contact Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary for flower delivery at 801-466-8687.