Marilyn Stewart Dunn Mancuso, 89 years old, passed away at home in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. She left this life in the presence of her loving husband, Ross and daughter, Linda. She is proceeded in death by her sons, Terry and Brian Dunn. She is survived by her husband and daughter.
Marilyn was born in Salt Lake City on June 22nd, 1937. She learned to play the piano as a young child. As an adult, she went on to play the piano for church services in the parish of St. Anne’s in Salt Lake. She was also VERY proud to be the choir director for several years.
Motherhood was Marilyn’s greatest joy. Her daughter remembers that she packed a tea party for her to share with a friend and their dollies in the backyard. She created the sweetest memories. Whether she was helping with her son’s boy scout activities, packing lunches, baking birthday cakes or dispensing mercurochrome bunnies on skinned knees, you knew you were adored.
If you had a seat at her table for a meal, you were in for a treat! Marilyn was an adventurous cook. In the Sixties, she threw Mexican parties. She learned to make Egg Foo Young, homemade Italian meatballs, Italian Christmas cookies and so much more. Her daughter learned to cook by osmosis and the right way to set a table. So many great memories were made by sharing food. Marilyn’s happy place was “playing in the dirt”. She LOVED to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. Her daughter Linda remembers many sweaty sessions of canning peaches and making jam. There was nothing so delicious as a sun-warmed tomato or handful of strawberries from her garden.
A HUGE source of bliss for Marilyn and her husband, was spending time at the cabin that Ross built on Defa’s Dude Ranch, near Deschene, Utah. Fishing, relaxing and having parties with family and friends was the agenda. Many summer vacations were enjoyed by her daughter, husband and three grandkids. Sitting under the stars around a campfire and telling stories or jokes made wonderful childhood memories for her grandchildren. One year, the camp uniform was “The Simpsons” t-shirts. Marilyn loved family rituals.
Marilyn’s fur babies melted her heart, and she loved and cared for them devotedly. Dogs and a feral cat received her love over the years. Bootsy, the feral cat learned to be a gentle cat under her care. Really, Marilyn’s tender heart warmed ALL who knew and loved her. She is very much missed.
A viewing is to be held on Saturday, August 15th, 2026 at 10 am – 12 pm to honor her life as a loving wife, friend, mother and grandmother. The viewing will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106. For those who wish to join us, there will be a graveside gathering at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 275 U Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
