Saturday, November 19, 2011

A Tribute To Our Sister Marilyn~

Marilyn Nyal
Last evening my dear husband received a telephone call telling us that his sister, Marilyn  had passed away. Of course there were many tears. We loved her so much. I have many favorite memories of this dear sister of ours. My first meeting with Don and Marilyn was when I began dating my sweet husband. At that time their daughter Kelly Jayne was 18 months old. I remember she was always dressed in the cutest of clothes and you just wanted to hold and hug her. Marilyn loved children and has been a wonderful mother and grandmother. 
I treasured my times  with Marilyn. I didn't have any sisters so Marilyn and Gloria were my sisters too. I loved visiting their home. Don and Marilyn's homes was always so beautifully decorated and there was always a warm, inviting, cozy feeling within the home. Through the years Don and Marilyn not only remodeled their homes; but even built one.
Roger has many memories of times with Don and Marilyn. They spent a good deal of time helping their parents re-do areas of their home. Roger remembers helping with wallpapering and painting. He also loved to help them decorate their Christmas trees. Don decorated Christmas trees at Z.C.M.I. and often times he would have Roger help him. Don often took Roger fishing; which was so much fun.
Roger said one of his favorite memories was around Christmas time his mother took him to Don and Marilyn's where they spent the evening making Christmas cookies and plum pudding. He loved those outings.
One endearing memory was when I first met the family; his sisters call him Sammy. This was a nickname that Marilyn had given him. Through the years that is what they have called him. I think it was so sweet and I love his nickname of Sammy.
Don and Marilyn
Together Forever ~
Don and Marilyn had three lovely and beautiful children, two daughters, Kelly Jayne and Kathryn Anne and a son, Patrick James. Two of the children served honorable missions and have all been faithful members of the church.
Kelly Jayne
Patrick, Heidi and family
Katie
Marilyn loved being a mother and homemaker. Her children were raised with a love for the arts and music.  Her husband Don has been a caring and loving husband through the years. I know that when she wasn't able to get out very much; she would enjoy Don taking her for drives.
Marilyn served in many callings in the church.Later on she was called to be the Relief Society President. At that time she didn't drive; so either Don would take her to the visits or she would walk over to help someone in need. She was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Marilyn was a beautiful faithful daughter of God and last night I could just picture her meeting with her parents and now being free from the limitations of her body. We will miss knowing that she is here; but have deep faith that we will see her again.

Our Birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting.
And cometh from afar;
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter Nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
- Williams Wordsworth

When mourning the loss of our departed family or friends, I cannot help but think that in every death there is a birth; the spirit leaves the body dead to us, and passes to the other side of the veil alive to that great and noble company that are also working for the accomplishment of the purpose of God, in the redemption and salvation of a fallen world.
-  Wilford Woodruff

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tribute Mom:) Thanks for sharing! Our prayers are with you and dad...we love you! We'll call you both tomorrow.

Susan Anderson said...

She sounds like a lovely person, LeAnn. I will keep you and your family in my prayers, as I'm sure you will miss her greatly.

But it does help to imagine the reunions up there, doesn't it?

Hugs.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful and touching tribute. You truly have an amazing perspective. So sorry for the time that you will spend missing her, but it's lovely to see the peace that you find in faith. Thanks for sharing your lovely memories, sweet blog friend!

amber and james said...

That is so sweet. It is nice to learn more about her. Love you!

Grammy Staffy said...

Dear LeAnn,
I am sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute to Marilyn. I know that you will miss her....but at the same time you are glad she is free from this life's suffering. John's sister died last July. Like Marilyn, Celia had suffered for years. We miss her but we are glad she is in a better place now. I was sad that I could not travel to Utah in July for the funeral, but I am sure Celia knows that I would have been there if I could.
Have a safe trip and enjoy every minute with your children. Our David and family arrived from Draper this afternoon. Erin will get here tomorrow and Lynell the next day. I am sure that both of us will have lots of stories to share.

Again, I am sorry for your loss... thank heavens we know that life is eternal and families are forever.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Hugs, Lura

Barb said...

Hi Leann and Roger,

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Rogers sweet sister - she sounds like she was a wonderful person. Isn't it wonderful that we have the gospel to comfort us and keep us grounded in times like these.

My prayers will be with you and your family.

Hugs and much love,
Barb

Darlene said...

I'm so very sorry to hear about your great loss, LeAnn. It is so hard to lose a sibling. I know because I am the last of my family and I had to be there to watch my two sisters and three brothers go before me.

She does sound like a truly lovely person and it is wonderful that you and Roger have such great memories of her.

My prayers are with you.

Marie Rayner said...

Leann, I am so sorry to read of your loss. What a beautiful tribute you have written to your much beloved Sister in law. My heart and prayers are with you both and the family at this time. (((((hugs))))) She sounds like she was a wonderful person. I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life which teaches me that this life is only a small part of what and who we are, and that families are eternal. May you be able to find comfort and solace in the Gospel and in happy memories you have of your times together. xxoo

Blue Cotton Memory said...

It is such a blessing to be able to have such an inheritance left by someone called back home!!! A beautiful impact from God!