Marianne Sahleen

Marianne Elizabeth Gillings Sahleen, our adored mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and wife passed away May 3, 2021 at the age of 81 in Cottonwood Heights, Utah due to complications from her thirty-seven-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Marianne was born on November 25, 1939 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England to John Richard Gillings and Irene Winnifred Page Gillings. She was the oldest of five children and later immigrated with her family to the United States, settling in Holladay, Utah where she attended and graduated from Olympus High School in 1958.

Marianne met Albert Roland Sahleen in 1958 while working at the Holladay Drug Store. It was love at first sight – they both went home that night and told family members that they had found their future spouse. They married a year later on August 20, 1959 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They became the proud parents of five children: Mark, Tracey, Bradley, Lisa, and Michelle, whom were the pride and joy of their lives. She was an avid reader, loved playing the piano, square dancing, and talking to her lifelong friend Lillian Winn; they went as far as learning Pig Latin and Double Dutch in order to evade the intruding ears of their children during their phone calls.

Marianne was witty, fun, and always spoke her mind. She served in various callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints including President of the Relief Society, Gospel Doctrine Instructor, Young Women’s Advisor and Camp Director, and in the Primary. She was a devoted member and an even more devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She rarely missed a birthday, graduation or special moment in her children or grandchildren’s lives, despite losing her ability to walk in later years due to her battle with MS. Rarely complaining with a smile on her face and a quick “oh brother” on her breath, she showed us all how to be brave, strong and most importantly how to love those around us, show up for your family and friends and never take a day for granted.

Marianne is survived by her siblings: Michael, Susan, Trevor and Jennifer; her five children: Mark (Lynette), Tracey (Keith), Bradley (Diane), Lisa (Sean), Michelle (Jeff); 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, and grandson Austin Sahleen. The family would like to thank the IHC Home Health Services who cared for Marianne: Heidi, Josh, Dianna and Victoria for their professional care, as well as their friendship, love and compassion during these years.

A viewing will be held Sunday, May 9th from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Butler 7th Ward Chapel, 1355 East 7200 South in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 10th at 12:00 p.m. at the same location, with a viewing prior from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens. Please leave a memory or thought of condolence at larkincares.com.

We hope you’re dancing in heaven, we miss you immensely, until we meet again.

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