Marilyn Reiser Crawford

Marilyn Reiser Crawford was born January 5, 1928, a daughter of Albert Hamer Reiser and Elizabeth Baxter Reiser, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the fourth of eight children. She attended Salt Lake City schools and graduated from East High School and the University of Utah. She was president of the Associated Women Students and her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.

She met John Crawford Jr. while students at the University of Utah, and were married in the Salt Lake Temple, August 24, 1949, three years after they met. Marilyn helped John in his career as a utility company executive and managed the campaign which elected him to the Salt Lake City School Board. She was his immovable rock, not only in his business successes and civic achievements, but was his eyes and legs for the last ten years of his life as his health declined. There could be no more loyal and faithful companion than Marilyn was to John. Clearly, her children believe John, “married up” when he won Marilyn’s hand.

Always active in community service, she also served her church as a member of the Advisory Board of Lambda Delta Sigma at the University of Utah and served for two years as Area Advisor to the Northern Utah & Wyoming areas. She served as Relief Society President, Counselor in a Stake Relief Society Presidency, and in the Primary Presidency of various stakes in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was faithful and loyal to her Savior and her church to the end.

She loved the English language, was well-spoken and well-written. For more than a quarter of a century she studied literature as part numerous literary groups. Her penmanship, somewhat of a lost art form, was second to none. Every child and grandchild have wonderful memories of her letters with her beautiful handwriting and her meticulously crafted messages. Additionally, Marilyn was an unpublished author of children’s books. She loved telling bedtime stories and singing bedtime songs, once sung to her by her father, to her children and grandchildren. Those songs continue being sung to her great grandchildren today.

She served on the Advisory Board of The Sharing Place, a grief support program for children who have lost a family member, to which she was deeply committed. It is her wish that in lieu of flowers which wilt, gifts of lasting value be made to The Sharing Place, 1695 E 3300 S, SLC, UT 84106, in her memory.

She is survived by her four children: Kathy (Roger) Carter, Tom (Carolyn), MaryLou, and Bob (René), all of Salt Lake City. She is survived by her beloved grandchildren: Josh, Courtney (Zwick), Jacob and Caitlin (Wilson) Carter; Sarah (Patrick), Rachel (Stohlton), Megan (Bewsey) and Lauren (Aida) Crawford; Robb, Katie and Nick Crawford, and Chase, Tanner and Haylie (Smith) Eldredge, and their wonderful spouses and children. Additionally, Marilyn was the proud great-grandmother to 41 children. She is also survived by three sisters, three sisters-in-law, and three brothers-in-law. She is preceded in death by her husband, John, a daughter-in-law, Julie, and one great-grandchild.

Her services will be held on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 12:00 pm at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S Wasatch Drive, SLC, UT 84108. For those unable to attend, a Zoom link will be provided by visiting this website. A visitation will be prior to her service from 9:30 am to 10:30 am for relatives and from 10:30 am to 11:30 am for friends and neighbors. Please follow all COVID-19 regulations to keep everyone safe.  

Remember her in the sunsets, which she collected in her mind, and in any part of God’s creations which move you and make the incredible experience of life more meaningful to you.