Marian Rhees Findlay

Marian Rhees Findlay, 91, of Centerville, Utah, passed away on February 24, 2026. Our hearts are full of love, grief, and cherished memories. With the help of Marian’s own autobiographical writings, we recall the moments that made her life so remarkable.

Marian was a “March kid”, born on March 23rd, 1934, in Odgen, UT, to parents Ruth Cragun (Rhees) and Earl J. Rhees. Raised on the family farm in Pleasant View with her nine siblings, she grew up among golden wheat, chicken coops, garden beds, and orchards of apples and cherries. Together with her family, she played hide-and-seek under laundry lines, ate freshly baked bread, washed milk buckets, and drove the rusty old hay truck—once even into a ditch, a little scared but laughing as she sent her brothers and bales flying. She especially liked to help her dad, a beekeeper of lineal descent, collect honey. She was never afraid of bees.

Marian graduated from Weber High School as a vibrant part of the “Jolly Seventeen” class of 1952, where she was a student body officer, member of the pep club, and school journalist. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Utah State Agricultural College in 1956, sneaking out with friends to enjoy Aggie ice cream and ring the bell in Old Main.

For 35 years, Marian was a beloved teacher at Lincoln Elementary, Room 9, where her teaching philosophy was, “Childhood should be a journey, not a race.” Known as Lincoln’s tooth puller, Halloween parade marshal, and builder of towering papier-mâché dinosaurs, she championed children’s literacy by establishing Findlay’s Author’s Publishing Company, giving every child in her school the chance to write and publish their own book. Marian was recognized with the Davis School District Teacher of the Year (1993), the Davis Apple Teacher Award (1997), and the Delta Kappa Gamma Educator Society Pi Chapter Woman of the Year (2002). She was an active member of the Davis Educators Association, Utah Educators Association, and the National Educators Association. It was her ambition for every child in her classroom to leave with a personal sense of achievement and belonging.

Marian was a lover of nature. She would find peace by puttering around her garden, “Gilligan’s Island,” and digging in the dirt. With morning coffee in hand, Marian tended to each flower and creeping vine, among the bees. Marian’s love for the people of the world took her across the globe on faraway adventures, giggling with her friends and family. She was an avid reader. Marian enjoyed supporting local theater with her lively group of friends. Summers were spent getting sun-kissed while bummin’ around Bear Lake.

Marian dedicated her life to serving others. She was the proud co-chair of the annual spring concert for the Children’s Museum of Utah. After retirement, she continued to volunteer her time and talents at the children’s museum. Her care for others didn’t stop in the classroom. Her humanity, compassion, and action made her an activist. Marian traveled to our nation’s capital to march with the Million Moms March in DC, a rally for gun control, and to protest the war in Iraq. Marian taught us all how important it is to speak out and advocate for others.

Marian was a resilient and dedicated single mother. She lovingly describes her children as a “little family with big hearts, who were always looking out for each other, loving and defending one another. Scott, Sidnie, Stacey, Marian, facing the past, present, and future together.” Through Marian’s example of love and audacity, she grew that little family into a full family garden brimming with compassionate and fun-loving people. She made sure that each of her kids knew they were loved unconditionally.

A true matriarch in the patriarchy, Marian is survived by siblings Sally Jean Rhees (Shaw), John Thomas Rhees, Carol Janyce Rhees, and Linda Jeri Rhees; children Scott Findlay, Sidnie Findlay (Hess), and Stacey Findlay (Agoustari); and her beloved grandchildren; Jessica Lynn Findlay, Phebe Jane and Ben (Tanner), Brian and Brandy (Hess), Ty and Alyassa (Florack-Hess), Moriah Joya (Agoustari) and Alexis Alegra (Agoustari) great-grandchildren; Kira Lynn (Johnson), Olivia Joyce (Johnson), Bronx Camden (Hess), Maris May (Hess) and Gwynn Hawkins (Florack-Hess) whom she’d call “kid” or “babe”. Marian created special memories and relationships with each of her grand and great grand children. She was preceded by her parents and siblings Delbert Earl Rhees, RuthAnn Rhees (Larsen), Robert Cragun Rhees, Roger Larry Rhees, and Stephen Lewis Rhees.

In accordance with Marian’s wishes, a celebration of her life will be held this summer—a time to enjoy the sunshine while honoring her memory. The gathering, which will include a light lunch, will take place on Saturday, June 6, from 1–3 p.m. at Layton Commons Grand Pavilion, 465 N Wasatch Drive (at the center of Constitution Circle) in Layton Park, Layton, Utah.

Though she cherished blossoms and blooms, instead of flowers, donations may be made in Marian’s memory to organizations she thought were pretty “swell”: Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots. Her family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers and nurses at Creekside Assisted & Senior Living and Ovation Hospice. A poet in her own right, Marian left us with these words:

“Please don’t cry because I’m gone. Instead, be happy I was here (or maybe you can cry a little because after all, I have passed away).

If you want to, you can look for me with the evening sunset or with the early spring daffodils, or with a fluttering butterfly. You know I’ll be there in some way or another. Hey! This may be of comfort to some of you and a nuisance to others. But you will know me— it’s what I do!”