Born July 31,1950 in Hagerman, Idaho to Claude and Lucille Butts, Marie Butts Eccles was the 3rd of 7 children; Ron Butts, John Butts, Amy Hamrick, Angela Boyer, Michelle Allen and Richard Butts. The family had modest resources which Marie describes as nurturing her resourcefulness, creativity and curiosity. Because her father was in the military, Marie grew up traveling the country. The family settled in California which is where Marie developed her love for the beach and would spend time there daily. Marie attended El Camino college and became a legal secretary which is probably why she loved courtroom podcasts later in life. She loved motorcycles, fast cars, adventures, elephants and dancing. Marie was invited to many dances but she never cared much about the dates. She just loved to dance. She even participated in a televised dance contest and won a trip to Catalina! It was at a dance that Marie met Charles Eccles who would become her lifelong sweetheart. Charles and Marie married January 30, 1971. Their engagement was supposed to be a year but Charles convinced her to shorten it to 3 months because as he explains “he didn’t want her to get away”. His plan was successful and the two shared 53 beautiful years laughing, learning and growing together. Charles and Marie moved to Taylorsville, Utah in 1972 where they raised their family. Despite being told she would not be able to have children, Marie had 4 incredible children - Brian (Sue) Eccles, Jennifer (Roy) Wittman, Paul (Robynn) Eccles, Melissa (Moroni) Erekson and eventually 13 grandchildren. Raising her children and watching them build their beautiful lives and families was the joy of Marie’s life. Marie also helped raise many other children through her in-home day care. The children she cared for adored her and Marie loved that her home was always full of children’s laughter and play. She not only nurtured children, she nurtured plants and her green thumb was legendary. Marie had a unique ability to make people feel special and to make things more beautiful. She was an incredible gift giver and her children remember that their birthdays felt like holidays and she made magic happen every Christmas. Even when her cancer had progressed, Marie found the energy to put together photo albums for each of her children as a final gift, sharing some of the memories she had treasured during her lifetime to comfort them when she was gone. Marie was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her life was an example of unconditional love, humility and faith. In her final days she spoke of being with her Father in Heaven and we have no doubt that he welcomed her with open arms alongside her dear mother, father and her brother John. Marie will be loved, remembered, missed and celebrated forever.
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