Marilyn was born on May 2, 1932, in Lakeview, Utah to Charles Griffith and Nellie Kathleen Nuttall, as the youngest of four children. She married her high school sweetheart Richard Kay Peterson for time and all eternity on October 1, 1952, in the Logan Temple. Richard passed away in 2016. They lived in the Lakeview area of Provo, Utah for 63 years.

Marilyn was a loving, caring, and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She took great joy in her role as the matriarch of a large and growing family. Her energies were focused on providing care and service for her beloved progeny and ancestors alike. Marilyn and Richard enjoyed sports and outdoor activities with the family. She always loved music, singing, sports, and dancing. The couple enjoyed their Dancing Friends group activities in the early years of marriage.

At Lincoln High School in Orem, Utah, she participated in multiple sports including tennis, track, and gymnastics. She also enjoyed dancing, later becoming a member of the Cougarettes while at Brigham Young University. A lifelong sports fan, she spent countless hours transporting and cheering for all of her children’s various sports activities. She used her sewing skills making children’s clothing, dance recital costumes, baby blankets, and quilts for all of her children, grandchildren, and friends. She and Richard were avid, lifelong fans of the BYU Cougars whenever and wherever they were competing.

Her working life began at home on the farm. During her college years, she enjoyed working as a switchboard operator at Mountain Bell. She spent many of her early years working at Reams grocery store in multiple roles including eventually becoming a bookkeeper. She later continued in that role at Monson Company Insurance, Kitco, and Wencor Aviation Companies for 25 years.

Her service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a priority throughout her life. She served in various leadership and teaching positions. She loved her time with the Golden Gleaners and Guide Patrol. She served in the Primary, Young Women, and as Relief Society President in the original Lakeview Ward for many years, as well as filling the vital role of a Bishop’s wife. Richard and Marilyn loved when they were able to fulfill a lifetime goal of serving in the temple. They served in both Provo Utah Temple and Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple. Much of Marilyn’s time was spent organizing and participating in activities at the Welfare Farm and in the local PTA. She provided a great deal of comfort and assistance to neighbors and friends which was returned tenfold in her later years.

Marilyn and her husband Richard are survived by their five children, Debi Green (Mike), Stephen (Tanya), Sandy Kezerian (Mike), Robert (Nancy), and Michael (Bethany); sister-in-law, Nellie Peterson; 19 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Griff and Nellie Nuttall, and her siblings, Cleo, Verl, and Lynn.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Parkway Stake Center at 2801 W 620 N, Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, Friday, March 25 from 6-8 pm, and another at the church Saturday, from 9:30-10:45 am prior to services. Interment will be at Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.

The family gives thanks to all the friends and neighbors who were so helpful in her later years. Thanks also to the wonderful caretakers at Covington Senior Living Center who helped make her last years more comfortable. She often expressed her love and appreciation for them.