Born in the summer of 1937 in Lansing, Michigan but raised in the Ozarks of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Edie was the 4th of 6 children born to Lewis and Lois Thornton. It was a house of faith and constant prayer. They were taught to put God first and the rest will fall in line. As a mom and grandma (Granny), she would share endless stories of her childhood barefoot adventures in the deep woods filled with rivers, leeches, snakes, and spiders. The Thornton’s learned how to survive on very little and be grateful for all they had.

At 19, she found her way to Detroit, Michigan where she fell in love with her boss’s son, Philip Dean Rockwood, Jr. They married in the spring of 1957 and quickly began building their family. Work and life kept them in Detroit where they had their first 4 children (Kathi, Kelli, Linda, and Christopher). A move took them to Cleveland, Ohio for 7 years where their son, Carter, was born. Another family move brought them to San Antonio and Kerrville Texas where their sons, Joel and then Jared were born. Jared was born premature and lived only a few minutes.

In the spring of 1977, Edie and the Rockwood family would have their faith tested like never before. Enroute to a celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary, the two of them were in a tragic auto accident that took Phil’s life and left Edie physically broken – but alive. This event became the foundation of an amazing life she would build moving forward.

At just 14 years of age, Edie began visiting with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the scriptures and their message, so they challenged her to ask God what to do…Of course, she had been taught in her home that God answered prayers – so she put it to the test. The Spirit confirmed and a reluctant father approved, so she was baptized and never looked back. This conversion became the backbone for the rest of her life. She loved the Gospel with all her heart and became a powerful force within the church. Twelve years after their marriage, Phil was also baptized and a year later, the family was sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple on August 12, 1969. Faith and commitment to living the gospel of Jesus Christ was their mission from that day forward.

In 1978, one year after losing her husband, she moved her family to Orem, Utah to be closer to supportive friends and family and to achieve her goal of getting her bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University. She also embraced the daunting task of raising 3 boys on her own (ages 3, 7, and 13). Homework, sports, scouts, and all the boy stuff she didn’t know much about…she took it on with toughness and grace, doing her best to be mom and dad at the same time. Aided by amazing neighbors, friends, and church leaders, Edie found her independence as she began speaking for the church’s spiritual education system. For well over 20 years, she packed houses as a keynote speaker for Education Days, Campus Education Weeks, Women’s Conferences, Know Your Religion seminars, and many other engagements. She was an inspiration to thousands as she shared her experiences of life trials, faith, and spiritual knowledge. Edie was an accomplished Seminary Teacher who was beloved by the youth. She was a decade-long teacher of Gospel Doctrine in her local church congregation and could ‘preach the word like no other’ (as her students would say),

In tandem with her time speaking for the church, she experienced impressive secular success as well. At the age of 50, she became the first in her family (on either side) to earn a bachelor’s degree, graduating from BYU with honors in Communications.

Shortly thereafter, she began working for WordPerfect’s publishing division, which later became Ivy Communications. In 5 years, she worked her way from Associate Editor, to Publisher, to Editor in Chief, and ultimately became the Owner and CEO of Ivy Communication/WordPerfect Magazine. Through all her success, she remained humble remembering where she came from and how quickly life can change.

After a good run with Ivy, she chose to serve a full-time mission for her church. What was certain to be a service call in her local community or maybe at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, turned into a heart stopping call to serve 18 months in Bangkok, Thailand teaching English to local dignitaries. So, at the age of 63 and on her own, Edie spent a year and a half helping, serving, and loving the good people in remote villages of northern Thailand. (You can’t make this stuff up!)

Now back home and unsure what was next, she made the inspired decision to spend time with her daughter, Kelli, in Denver. This is where divine intervention would introduce the next love of her life…Grant Marsh. They were set up by some friends and knew almost immediately they were meant to be together – for this season of life. Both saw a lot of themselves in each other. In less than one year, they married in December 2003 in the Denver Temple. The following year, they were called to complete an assignment as the Denver Temple President and Matron. This allowed Edie to do what she loved most; spending time in the temple, serving others and refining her commitment with God.

Grant’s newest business venture had them trading time between Sun River in St. George, Utah and Denver, Colorado. This challenging schedule kept them on the move, but Edie enjoyed the ride, never leaving his side despite the long hours between Denver, St. George, and Salt Lake City. After all the unknowns and challenges she had faced, this was a peaceful time for her. She knew her purpose and united with a partner she was so happy to support.

Eventually, needing to slow down, they sold the Denver home and settled full time in Sun River where Edie was able to find her stride again as the Gospel Doctrine teacher in the local LDS ward congregation. Again, beloved as she inspired a different audience enjoying the later years of life.

As she aged and lost some abilities, it was Grant’s opportunity to be by her side – never wavering and fully committed to helping Edie remain as comfortable as possible. The two of them were a perfect match and a powerful union, aligned in life and the gospel. Both having built a brilliant legacy of goodness and success apart from one another, now together and leaving an indelible impact on everyone they encountered during their 22 wonderful years together.

From bare feet in the Ozarks to a publishing CEO, and everything you can imagine in between, Edie Rockwood Marsh is a shining example of success in the face of adversity, and a powerful force for women everywhere.

Edie is survived by 6 of her 7 children: Kathi Salter (Glen), Kelli Cline, Linda McHardy (Scott), Chris Rockwood (Shirley), Carter Rockwood (Destiny), and Joel Rockwood (Sarah); as well as her husband, Grant Marsh, and his 4 children: Kenny (Tehmi), Julie Neudorff (Neil), Steve, and Wendy Pearson (Dane) and their families. Edie is the proud Granny to 30 grandchildren and 56 great grandchildren.

“With faith in God as your support, anything is possible.” -Edie Rockwood Marsh

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, 1:00 p.m., with a viewing prior from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 1483 Angel Arch Dr, St. George, Utah,

Those unable to attend are invited to view the services at the following ZOOM link: https://zoom.us/j/95018396466.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the hospice nurses Michelle, Lisa, and Jen, as well as family members who so diligently and lovingly cared for Mom through the last years of her life.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Please visit our website at www.metcalfmortuary.com for condolences, complete obituary, and funeral listings.