Marilyn Bennion

Marilyn Peterson Grant Bennion

March 20, 1925 ~ April 28, 2016

Marilyn Peterson Grant Bennion returned with honor to her heavenly home on a beautiful spring day, Thursday, April 28, 2016. Marilyn was born on the first day of spring, March 20, 1925, in Ogden, Utah to Neslyn Clair Peterson and Ruth Brewer Peterson. Since that day, her happy countenance and disposition have helped make many wonderful friends and memories. She and her two younger sisters were raised by their loving grandparents, Alex and Clara West Brewer, in a lovely Victorian home. Marilyn’s favorite times were the nightly walks with her grandpa to nearby Ogden City Cemetery, learning of constellations (and sometimes trying to catch a quail). Everyone’s favorite times were whole summers at South Fork with the entire Brewer family of ten siblings. At Ogden High School she was a skilled skier, winning a downhill medal at newly opened Snow Basin Resort. She also vividly remembers being snowed in at Alta with the ski team (which only included three girls among many boys). She enjoyed her school social club and those associated friendships which have lasted a lifetime and included playing bridge into their 80s

She married David J. Grant on May 29, 1942, as he began his Army Air Corps cadet training. The war years found them together in Oklahoma and California, then separated for one and a half years while David served in France and their first daughter, Susan Oostyen (Max), was born in Ogden. At war’s end the family grew, adding three children, Rich B. Grant, Madilyn Howard (Ralph), and Dave R. Grant (Chris). Marilyn and David and their children were sealed as a family in the Logan LDS Temple on June 1, 1964. The family lived first in Ogden and later in South Ogden. During these years Brown and Grant Auto Sales occupied the 2746 Washington Blvd. location and later David Grant Auto Sales occupied the 1515 Washington Blvd. location. Selling Christmas trees during the winter months was always a Grant family affair for the next 25 years until David’s untimely death, January 1, 1972. During the South Ogden years Marilyn worked as a secretary, first for the Weber County Assessor’s Office, then at Bonneville High School.

February 11, 1974, Marilyn married a second wonderful husband, T. Addison Bennion, and began a new adventure in the University area of Salt Lake City. The “Harvard house” was reminiscent of her grandparents’ home where she had been raised. It quickly became a magical place for Marilyn and Add’s 25+ grandchildren. Christmas Eves were extra special, with beautiful decorations, sumptuous buffets, and Marilyn’s gifted, gracious touch reflected in lovely appointments and surprise everywhere. Other exciting benefits of her Salt Lake City life were much-loved ski trips and world travels, both enjoyed into their 80s, with a variety of companion couples.

Many people have benefited from Marilyn’s kind heart and lovely manner. She served in the auxiliaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the ward and stake levels. She and Add served a humanitarian/leadership mission in the Salt Lake City Park Stake in 1992. She also served her own mission as a docent for the Church Museum of History and Art for more than twenty years. Marilyn’s life has been rich with memories and friendships as she has enriched many others’ lives. Her friends, husbands, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have been abundantly blessed by her exemplary life of generous goodness, happy optimism, and beauty.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Claramay Sokolik and Rosemary Campbell; a dear sister-in-law, Janis Johnson; brother-in-law, Lew Grant; both husbands; her son-in-law, Max Oostyen; and a grandson-in-law, Jeremiah Lynn Burgess. She is survived by a sister, Gay DeGeorge (Tom); brother, Dr. David D. Shupe (Marianne); a beloved brother and sister-in-law, Calvin and Renee Grant; her four children; Add’s three daughters, Cathie Whitesides (Hank), Marianne Brooks (Dick), and Jeanette Bennion (Scott); 30 combined grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren (with one more expected in May); and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may gather with the family on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park.

The family extends sincere appreciation to the staff at Mountain Ridge Assisted Living, Dr. Gary Holland, and Comfort Worx Hospice for the loving care of their mother.