Marlene Stephenson

Marlene Fay Morley came into this world on August 14, 1933, in Moroni, Utah, to parents who loved and nurtured her, allowing her to be herself. She was raised with two brothers whom she adored. As she got a little older she gained another brother and sister who have been so dear to her. Family has always been most important to her and even during her last few weeks she worried about her siblings and continued to talk about them.

She left this earth to return home to her Heavenly Father and many loved ones on September 6, 2024. She was 91 years old.

Marlene was always one for adventure. Her best friend's father was the sheriff and together they were able to stay under the radar with their shenanigans. Living in a small town meant they had to figure out their own entertainment and Marlene was the one with many great ideas. It's a good thing her parents were incredibly patient.

Marlene learned to swim at a very young age along with the scouts her father would take on outings. She played on the girls' basketball team in school and gave the boys' team a run for their money. She loved to read and often hid a book under her desk at school.

Marlene met her sweetheart, Merlin at a town dance. He had driven to Moroni from Levan to check out the cute Moroni girls. They were married July 9, 1951, in the Manti Temple, just a short time before Merlin left for the Korean War. Merlin continued with the military until his retirement and Marlene carefully sewed patches and ironed uniforms for many years.

Mom and Dad lovingly brought three children into their home and worked hard to support us and made our lives magical. Mom was PTA president for many years, she was always our room mother at school and was so creative in her activities, decorations, and treats. She could create anything she put her mind to. She sewed most of our clothes. Even suits for Dad and Craig. And many of our winter coats as well. She worked with leather creating the best beaded leather vests. She crocheted, did needlework of all types, decorated amazing cakes, made great big tissue paper flowers, and excelled at pretty much any craft she could find.

Mom and Dad loved to travel and did so often. They also loved to go camping, and we went on many adventures while traveling around for Dad's military assignments.

She supported each one of us individually. For Lori, she typed up endless neighborhood newspapers, stories and plays. She created costumes for the plays Lori would write. Made advertisements for neighborhood parades and carnivals. She endlessly drove her to girl scouts, piano lessons, art lessons, bassoon lessons, softball and basketball practices and on and on.

She was a dedicated cub scout and Venture scout leader for Craig. She helped Craig and many other boys in our ward achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. A rank she probably earned herself many times over.

Shannon danced many days a week and required lots of hair and makeup sessions as well as putting together many folk-dance costumes. She attended every performance and chaperoned dance trips and created a safe place for her friends to hang out.

Mom has always been a person who brings friends together. She remembered birthdays and special occasions and loved to invite her friends and neighbors out to lunch. She was a very dedicated visiting teacher to several ladies who really needed someone to depend on. Her assignments lasted for years because of the special bond she created with them. She always followed through and lovingly took care of those in need.

Mom taught us to always pull out our best dishes for Sunday dinners. She taught us that paper plates were not good enough when family was all together. We learned the proper way to set a beautiful table, with everything matching, and we sat down together for dinner every night. She was also an amazing cook.

Mom made sure Family Night happened every Monday and always included treats. Mom made sure we had culture in our lives. She took us to museums, to the ballet, and taught us to love all kinds of music.

She taught by example how to love and how to contribute to the world around us. We love her and will miss her so much. But we are also so happy for her to be with Dad and her family as well as her wonderful friends who have gone before her. She had the best group of friends growing up and she was the last one here.

Dad and Mom also had wonderful friends from both Rose Park and Taylorsville that brought so much joy into their lives. Most of them have gone on before Mom as well. She often asked why she was the only one left. She missed her family, cousins, and friends so much. We are confident she is experiencing utter joy now.

Marlene is preceded in death by her parents, Urwin Andrew Morley and Dora Fay Larsen. Her brothers Urwin Clair and Gayle Lauritz Morley as well as an infant sister, Flora Morley. Also, her husband, Merlin J Stephenson; a son-in-law, Cal Reuel Call and a daughter-in-law, Laurine Stratton Stephenson.

She is survived by her brother Robert John (Annette) Morley and her sister Janice Lynn (Ron) Lund as well as her two sisters-in-law Marcella Morley and Dora Lee Morley. She is also survived by her children and their families: Lori Ann Call and her children Skyler J (Janelle) Call, Landon Jazz (Ashley) Call, Lacey Jade (Jake) Freeman, Blaze Ryan (Kelsey) Call. Craig Morley (Wendy) Stephenson. Shannon Lee (Larry) Thayn and their children Carson Kenneth Thayn and Jack Edward Thayn. She is also blessed with eleven beautiful great-grandchildren who will miss their visits with her.

We wish to thank the caring staff at Covington Senior Living in Lehi for their attentive care and for their loving words and actions towards mom. She felt safe and loved there and we felt secure in their sincere service.

Friends and family may pay their respects Wednesday, September 18th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S Redwood Rd, Taylorsville, UT. A viewing will be held at 10:00 AM prior to the funeral service at 11:00 AM Thursday, September 19th at McDougal Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Those who wish to livestream the service may do so at the following link:  https://vimeo.com/event/4571573