Carolyn R. Marsh

Carolyn Ririe Marsh of Boise, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home on July 31, 2022, surrounded by family at the age of 88. Carolyn was born June 20, 1934, in Ogden, Utah, to the proud parents of Josephine Rhees Ririe and Olin Heber Ririe. Carolyn enjoyed a happy and rewarding childhood growing up along the Wasatch Front in Ogden, Salt Lake City and American Fork, Utah. Although she suffered the loss of much of her hearing at a very early age, she never used it as an excuse or allowed it to be a barrier; she excelled in music, both vocal and instrumental. She started playing the piano at the age of 8 and by the age of 11, she was accompanying the orchestra at her school.

Carolyn rejoiced in life and lived it with fervor in all its worthy pursuits. She won a statewide “Sew it with Wool” contest and an “I speak for Democracy” contest along with being a debate champion. She was a straight A student and spoke at her High School graduation. She earned an academic scholarship to Brigham Young University where she attended in the Honors Society maintaining an A average. She engaged in many extracurricular activities and was a Cougarette. It was during her freshman year at BYU that she met her eternal love, a poor kid from Boise, LaVar Marsh. After several weeks of trying to get him into her very busy dating schedule, she cleared her calendar. They first confessed and decided what their love meant for them on a warm summer night bathed in a full moon at Bright Angel Point Grand Canyon. They were married June 14, 1954, in the Salt Lake City, Utah, LDS Temple.

A lifetime disciple of Christ and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Carolyn had a testimony of her Savior and his Atonement. At age 21, she served as Young Women’s President, and she served in that calling several times. She also served as Primary and Relief Society President. She was a fearless witness for Christ as she served as a missionary with her husband in Italy, Switzerland, Sicily and Malta. Carolyn mastered the Italian and Maltese languages well.

Carolyn was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She loved to read and learn and was part of a book club for several years. Carolyn worked for many years as an Executive Secretary/Office Manager prior to her retirement.

Carolyn is survived by her husband LaVar Marsh; children Stephen (Bonnie) Marsh of Boise, ID; Shannon Marsh Miles of Middletown, CT; Janene (Dale) Hessing of Eagle, ID; Larene (Ben) Holmes of Pleasant Grove, UT; Jared (Jennifer) Marsh of Meridian, ID; and Nathan Marsh of Boise, ID; and by 14 Grandchildren and 7 Great-Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Josephine and Olin Ririe, brothers Rhees and Delbert Ririe and grandson Kyle Tuttle.

Services for Carolyn will be held Wed., Aug. 10, 2022, 11:00am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 6711 Northview St., Boise. Visitations will be held Tues., Aug. 9, 6:00-7:30pm, at Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N. Latah St., Boise, and also from 10:00-10:45am immediately prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Dry Creek Cemetery.
 

The service will be livestreamed, and the link can be found below under "Service":