Marilyn Smith

Her Life

Remembering Marilyn

Marilyn Louise Bingham was born on December 6, 1947, in Ogden, Utah, the youngest of three children to Earl and Viola Bingham. Her dad worked at Shell Oil company, and her mom was a school teacher (including being Marilyn’s teacher for two of her school years). Marilyn’s early childhood was in Montana living in a home her father built.

When Marilyn was in the fifth grade, her family moved to Seattle when her father took a position with Boeing. It was there that her vibrant personality blossomed. As a young girl, she loved to play outside; her mother would often laugh that Marilyn “always had skinned knees.” Throughout her school years, she remained active, playing tennis and the flute, and participating in most school activities. After high school, she worked summers at the Seattle Post Office, served as a waitress at the Arctic Circle Drive-In, and worked as a maid at Lake Tahoe while attending Brigham Young University.

In 1971, Marilyn graduated from BYU with a degree in Physical Education and soon met the love of her life, Andrew Smith, at church. Their connection was immediate. Andy often said he knew within weeks that he had found his wife, and he frequently told his children and grandchildren that marrying Marilyn was the best decision he ever made. They were married on August 10, 1971, in the Salt Lake City Temple, beginning a partnership that spanned 50 years.

Together, Andy and Marilyn built a large, close-knit family—that they affectionately called their own “Scottish clan.” This clan began with their five children: Jared, Seth, Allyson, Nicole, and Ian. Marilyn’s devotion to them was unwavering. While she occasionally worked as a substitute teacher, the bulk of her time and effort was directed toward raising her family. She was an expert homemaker. Marilyn spent her time working to grow food, cook meals, drive kids, support her husband, bake elaborate birthday cakes, sew halloween costumes, and wash and iron endless loads of laundry. She was her children’s steadfast support — cheering them on at gymnastics, hockey, baseball, softball, football, volleyball, and soccer. She also made space for Andy’s mother to live in their home for the final 20 years of her life—something Marilyn often credited as invaluable support while raising five young children.

In 2000, Andy and Marilyn retired to Sequim, where they embraced a relaxed lifestyle and built a hobby farm full of fun activities for the grandchildren. Marilyn was a gifted gardener and a wonderful cook. Each of her children and grandchildren had a favorite dish she made with love, whether it was her orange rolls, broccoli cheddar soup, or her famous rhubarb pie.

Throughout her life, Marilyn was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully in many callings, including seminary teacher, cub scout leader, and primary teacher. Her faith shaped her character and the kindness she showed to everyone she met.

At the end of her life, Marilyn was surrounded by the loving family she had spent decades building. Her children and grandchildren visited her often. In her final months, Marilyn’s daughters, Nicole and Allyson, who are both nurses, used their expertise and love to care for Marilyn in their homes and in her final week in her own home. This allowed her to remain in a familiar place, surrounded by loved ones. Even in her final days, her family felt that Marilyn was happiest hearing the voices and laughter of those she loved nearby.

Marilyn is survived by her brother and sister; her five children; and her 14 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Andy, and her parents. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.