Marilyn Murdock

Marilyn Ott Murdock, 85, passed away on February 7, 2021 at her home in St. George, UT.  The oldest child of Wallace and Mary Ott, Marilyn was born in Henrieville, UT.

Marilyn and her eight siblings grew up in Tropic UT at the base of Bryce Canyon with its majestic red rock scenery.  Throughout her life, she was a voracious reader; after she had read every book in the school’s library she began purchasing her own books. This typified Marilyn in many ways. She was a relentlessly hard worker for what she wanted in life.  In high school she worked in the school’s office and during the summers, she cleaned cabins in Bryce Canyon.  Marilyn received a full academic scholarship to the University of Utah, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics.

Marilyn met Orrice (Murt) Murdock during her college years and they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on October 31, 1958.  Murt and Marilyn raised their four children in Maryland where they enjoyed the rich history of the area.  They made many meaningful friendships while living in that part of the country. Marilyn loved her family deeply and dedicated many hours to supporting her children in their interests- during their childhood and even until the present day. 

Marilyn was known for her delicious home crafted candies as well as her recipes for meals that were part of family traditions.  Marilyn’s eggnog at Christmas, her lemon chicken for Sunday meals and her English trifle for holidays will be remembered with joy by family and friends.

With Marilyn’s strong work ethic, she employed her talents throughout her life.  She taught school, raised her family and was an entrepreneur with her self-made business named Tropic Specialties.  Her business included custom wallpaper installation as well as catering food for events in the Washington DC area.  

When she and Murt moved to St. George, UT in 1996, she was grateful to be closer to her parents and many family members.  As always, she made many lasting friendships in her new home and continued to be known for her hand-crafted candies and excellent menus. 

Marilyn’s love of the Lord was evident in her faithful service in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She enjoyed family history and spent many hours documenting stories and organizing pictures of her ancestors to record their unique contributions to the world.   Marilyn will be remembered for her strength of character and her generous support for others. 

Marilyn is survived by her CHILDREN: Michelle (Steve) Harrast of Mt. Pleasant, MI; Ray Murdock of Rockville, MD; Rex Murdock of Rockville, MD; and Cabot (Marianne) Murdock of South Jordan, UT. By her SIBLINGS:  Irene (Bert) Emett of Veyo, UT; Wally (Gladys) Ott of Flagstaff, AZ; Brent (Emily) Ott of Olympia, WA; Lloyd (Jan) Ott of Ogdon, UT; Sandra Ott Houston of Blythe, CA;  Sherrell (Karen) Ott of Tropic, UT;  Jim (Kathie) Ott of St. George, UT; Kathy (Gary) Davis of Hurricane, UT. Her GRANDCHILDREN: Terrell (Erin) Harrast of Lincoln City, OR; Heather (Steven) Spiel of Chapel Hill, NC; Mary R. Harrast of SLC, UT; Weston Murdock of South Jordan, UT; Paeton Murdock, of South Jordan, UT; Andrew Harrast (serving a mission in Cote D’Ivoire, Africa); Amber Murdock of South Jordan, UT; and Zaniel Murdock of South Jordan, UT. By her GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: All of Chapel Hill, NC: Olivia June Spiel, Jacob Ott Spiel, Chloe Michelle Spiel and Faye Louise Spiel.  Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Murt Murdock, her parents and her brother-in-law LaMotte Houston. 

A memorial service will be held on March 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm MST at the LDS Chapel located at 750 Fort Pierce Rd., St. George, UT. The service will be shared virtually at the following link. 

 https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCDbMOKQd4WuJ1CeO9ZyoBTw