Marilynn Roskelley

Marilynn Roskelley passed away peacefully at her home in SLC on June 21, 2021 at age 86 due to cancer. She will be remembered and dearly missed as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. 

Marilynn was born on April 29, 1935 to Stephen Miller and Mildred Nail Miller in Durant, Oklahoma. She attended The University of Oklahoma where she developed lasting friendships and became a lifelong OU Sooner football fan. At a young age, Marilynn began studying piano and flute. She earned a Masters of Music in Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA and remained passionate about music and the arts throughout her life. 

Marilynn loved caring for people. She was dedicated to her family first and foremost and instilled in them the importance of love, friendship and strength. Marilynn treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as Nani. Marilynn made friends everywhere she went and maintained a wide-reaching social network of lifelong friends that brought her a true source of joy. Supporting family, hosting gatherings, tinkering in her kitchen, and entertaining at her home amongst family and friends were Marilynn’s greatest pleasures. Marilynn was a founding member of the Educational Resource Development Council for the University of Utah Health Sciences. She loved her role in this organization and looked forward to their monthly meetings and speakers.

Marilynn moved to Salt Lake City with her husband Maurice Roskelley in 1965 to open his medical practice. After having children and eventually divorcing, she began a new chapter in her life. She was fortunate to meet John Blewer. Together they enjoyed great travel experiences, spirited intellectual conversation, and a loving courtship until his untimely death in 1991. Ever resilient, Marilynn later met and married Paul Dorius, with whom she shared incredible love, dances in the living room, kindness, romance, and laughter for 23 years until Paul’s passing in 2017.

Marilynn is survived by her two children, Amy (Scott) and Mark (Cris), grandchildren James (Vanessa), Carolina, Ava, Cosette, and great-grandchild Vera. She loved her family and friends deeply and will be profoundly missed and forever in our hearts.

We are so grateful for the support and kindness that Caring Hearts Home Health and Elevation Hospice provided to Marilynn in her last months.

Marilynn will be laid to rest during a private family service at Mount Olivet cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers you may wish to make a donation to U of U Health/Educational Resource Development Council in Marilynn’s memory. You can send a check made out to University of Utah Health, Memo Line ERDC/IMO Marilynn Roskelley to:

U of U Health Advancement

University of Utah

P.O. Box 58006

Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0006