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My Aunt Marilyn passed away in January.  I wanted to post this as a memory since my blog is part of my journal!  She is my mom's sister and in a way a second mother.  When mom needed to go somewhere and needed someone to care for us we went to Aunt Marilyn's house!  My favorite thing about her and what I remember most is that she always had a hug and a smile! I don't remember ever going to her house and not having ice-cream or some sort of cake or brownie! The last time I went to her house when she was still well enough to get up and do things (last summer) she got me a huge bowl of ice-cream and cake!  She always knew how everyone in the family was and somehow kept in touch with what seemed like everyone!  She and Uncle Leon always had the best garden with the best cucumbers and carrots EVER!!

She took care of me when I had the chicken pox.  I don't remember where mom was, but she must of had to be somewhere else, and I remember Aunt Marilyn helping me take an oatmeal bath and putting cream on each chicken pock so that I wouldn't itch!

For my graduation she gave me a doll that she had found that reminded her of me. She was always very thoughtful and tried to find ways to show people that she cared!

When I had my appendix out in 7th grade she was the first to visit me.  She brought me a The Red Rose Poem in a frame with Roses on it.  I kept that in my room all growing up.  The next day after she had passed away I went over to her home to go through pictures and scrapbook with my cousin (her daughter) and I learned the real significance of that poem.  It had been given to her by a mutual leader and really had stuck with her her entire life.  In fact that same mutual leader sent her red roses the day she died.


I was able to go spend the afternoon the day before she died at her home.  There was a very sweet spirit in the home and we all knew it wouldn't be much longer before she passed through the veil.  She wanted to make sure that she kissed both my dimples (she always loved my dimples) before she said goodbye to me.

I love you Aunt Marilyn and you have a left a lasting imprint on my life!

Marilyn Kay Shurtliff Stacey, 63, of Idaho Falls, passed away of Renal Cell Carcinoma on January 4, 2011, at her home surrounded by family and loved ones. She was under the care of Aspen Home Health & Hospice.

Marilyn was born March 11, 1947, in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Marvin Dean and Wanda McGavin Shurtliff. A lifelong resident of Idaho Falls, she graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1965, and attended Idaho State University.

Marilyn was a secretary/stenographer, credit and office manager, working for Chesbro Music Company, and American Paper Company. She married Leon J. Stacey on November 4, 1972 and they were sealed November 3, 1984 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many capacities including organist and pianist in Primary and Mutual, teacher in Sunday School and Primary, counselor in Relief Society and Primary Presidencies, Ward Bulletin Editor for 20 years, Ward & Stake Librarian, and with Leon as Idaho Falls Stake Baptism Coordinators.

Marilyn loved theater productions and enjoyed them almost yearly with her family. She held lead roles in school plays and always loved “make-believe”. Camping, boating, four-wheeling, and taking trips in their motor home were peaceful pleasures. She loved going to the Hawaiian Islands, and visited most of the United States, and part of Canada. In 2005, she and Leon took her Dad on a ten state tour and experienced things never to be forgotten.

Having family events of any kind were her favorite things to do. She loved everyone and tried to show it in some way whenever she could.

Throughout her life she loved to sew and created dolls, stuffed animals, clothes for the family, quilts, and personalized items. At ISU she helped to create and put on puppet shows for schools. She loved to write poetry. Two of her poems were published. A song, which she felt was divinely inspired, was also published.

Surviving are her husband of 38 years, Leon J. Stacey of Idaho Falls; daughter, Kari Lyn (Berry) Belcher of Forest Grove, Oregon; son, Matthew L. (Penny) Stacey of Star, Idaho; Bonus son, Bryan (Erica) Borrowman of West Point, Utah and six grandchildren: Ally, Madisen, Chandler, Brock, Jordan, and Alyssa. Marilyn is also survived by her sister, Connie (Frank) Murdock; her brother, Rod (Merlene) Shurtliff; her father, Marvin Shurtliff, all of Idaho Falls; brothers in law, Jay (Clara) Stacey and Dee (Blanka) Stacey; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother; and her grandparents, Thomas & Mayme Shurtliff and Hazel & George McGavin.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon) with Bishop Hal Peterson, of the Idaho Falls LDS Sand Creek 1st Ward, officiating. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 1-1:45 p.m., both at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.