Marilyn Southwick

Marilyn Southwick

July 4, 1949 ~ March 11, 2019

Marilyn Southwick, 69, returned home to her Heavenly Parents, earthly parents, and two big brothers on March 11, 2019, and after years of health challenges is finally pain free, and dancing in Spirit once again!

Marilyn is -and always will be- a tender hearted Daughter of God, who is selfless, compassionate, and seemed to lighten up a room wherever she went. She always tried to have a smile on her face, and a love of God and of others in her heart.

Marilyn was born on July 4, 1949, and is the daughter of Delburt and Lila Murdock. She was born, raised, and lived her entire life in Ogden, Utah. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Weber State University which she used to pursue her career in dance.

As a young adult, Marilyn started, completely on her own, a private dance studio which quickly became very successful. She was hired by high schools around the state to come in, and teach their dance team her more jazzy broadway style of dance. She also helped on gymnastic floor routines to enable the students to compete at the highest level. Her studio grew so large that at the peak of her career she had to rent space in colleges just to be able to fit all of her students. Selflessly she retired from this self made career to raise he only son John. She had a life-long love of dance, broadway musicals, and gymnastics, and the occasional chocolate ice cream treat.

She married Val Edmund Southwick on June 25th 1969 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was faithful to him through thick and thin, and loved how he could always make her laugh (even when she tired no to). Later in their married life Marilyn returned to work, but this time she was teaching young children (anywhere from preschool to third grade). For years Marilyn was teaching children, and seemed to just shine there. The students and all of the parents loved how much time, and individual attention she put into every lesson, and how it was so interactive with all of the students. She had a gift of teaching children in any setting, and was always immaculately prepared.

Marilyn is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has served in the Primary in the Church over many years which included at times, serving in the Primary Presidency. One of her last callings in this life (before she graduated mortality) was being a primary teacher to her only Grandson Michael. This was a calling in the Church she fulfilled to the last day of her life.

She enjoyed spending time with her only Son John, but absolutely and -appropriately so-LOVED spending time with her only Grandson Michael. She helped raise him, and is an example to all of dedication, preparation, perseverance. She taught all by example and lived by the motto that "love is a verb."

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Val; son, John; and grandson, Michael. She was preceded in death by her parents and two big brothers, Bill and Mike.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 18, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. After the funeral the graveside service will be at the Liberty Cemetery at 3930 N. 3500 E. in Eden. A brief social luncheon will be held at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints, 1401 Country Hills Drive in Ogden.