Marilyn Kay Adamson Clayton Guthrie passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones as she passed in her home of 57 years.

Marilyn spent her 80 years spreading love as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, and loved serving others through a rewarding career and lifelong church service.

Marilyn was born February 14, 1945, the third child of Alexander Gillespie Adamson and Eva June Flowers Adamson. She loved growing up with her service-focused family in their Holladay home. She attended Olympus High School and then the University of Utah, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics, and eventually a Master of Education degree.

One evening while fundraising door-to-door for a service effort, Marilyn found herself in the home of David Ross Clayton. After their encounter, Ross was determined to court her. The two eventually married on August 31, 1967, and the following year moved into the home where they’d raise six children, host thousands of Sunday dinners, and where ultimately she and her dear Ross would both take their final breaths, 15 years apart. The Claytons loved spending time together and the friendships they built over the years.

Marilyn’s and Ross’ children are Ken (Angela) Clayton, Corinne (Scott) Parkinson, Debi (John) Perry, Calli (Dusty) Rhoades, Dan (Nicolette) Clayton and Kim (Mat) Pierce.

Marilyn found special joy in her 16 grandchildren, who at the time of her passing ranged in age from 35 to 5 (he’d want to make sure this says 5 ½).

After Ross passed away in 2010, Marilyn eventually reconnected with her high school sweetheart, also recently widowed. Marilyn and Vernon Guthrie were married on February 8, 2011. Vern was a sweet man who cared deeply for Marilyn, especially during her third battle with breast cancer. He had five children and nine grandchildren, whom Marilyn was proud to add to her family. Vern passed away in February 2019.

Marilyn used her passions to serve others in her professional career, culminating in her role as the director of school nutrition for Jordan School District. In that position, she oversaw nutrition programs that impacted thousands of children and families each year. Previous to that, she ran school lunch programs in Salt Lake School District and taught adults with special needs at the Columbus Center. But her first and most important career was always as a homemaker.

Marilyn remained an active and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout her life, serving wherever needed. Her abiding faith was a great comfort to her during her final days, as she looked forward to a reunion with her parents, her sister, and her dear companion of 43 years.

Marilyn is survived by her children and their spouses, as well as her 16 grandchildren: Damien, Chad, Mia, Rei, Alex, Raychel, Kira, Marnie, Noah, Trevor, BJ, Dax, Evy, Izzy, Xaida and Ross. All will miss her deeply and are grateful for the legacy of love and service she leaves for them to follow and amplify.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 9, 2025, at the Butler Hill Chapel, 2695 East 7000 South in Cottonwood Heights, followed by interment at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary & Cemetery (3115 Bengal Blvd.). A viewing will be held at the mortuary on April 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and another viewing will be held at the chapel just prior to the funeral service, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

In Marilyn’s memory, we encourage you to look for opportunities to lift those around you.