Marilyn Toland DiFrancesco was born on November 27, 1954 in Provo, Utah to Helen Benson and George Crane Toland, Jr. Marilyn passed on to the next life on Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 while returning from a 2-week vacation in Hawaii with her husband, David.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, David Oreste DiFrancesco, her four children, Kathleen Elizabeth DiFrancesco Peterson (Matthew Stanley Peterson), Marc Toland DiFrancesco, Jonathan David DiFrancesco (Jana DiFrancesco), Melissa Ann DiFrancesco Brothers (Caleb Brothers), her beloved Grandsons, Axel Thomas Peterson (6) and Max Stanley Peterson (3), her sister Joyce Toland Dudney (Dennis Dudney), and her nephew Geoffrey Weeks (Kat Weeks). She is proceeded in death by her parents, George Crane Toland Jr., and Helen Benson Toland.

Marilyn grew up in Bountiful Utah, graduating from Viewmont High in 1973 and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, with a music minor in 1976. Growing up, Marilyn loved the outdoors, and was an avid water-skier and snow-skier. Her parents instilled a love of traveling in her and she spent her life traveling and experiencing as much of the world as she could. She loved playing the piano, especially hymns.

While a teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary in Hunter, Utah, Marilyn was attending a singles ward in Murray, Utah, and it was there that she met her husband, David in November of 1978. David was the ward clerk at the time and found out that her birthday was the day before his. This provided an icebreaker for him to strike up a conversation and ask her on a date. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints soon after, on April 13, 1979. David and Marilyn brought four children into the world, their daughter, Kathleen Elizabeth, was born on February 12, 1980. Their son, Marc Toland was born on February 24, 1982. Their son, Jonathan David was born on January 9, 1986, and their daughter Melissa Ann, was born on March 23, 1988. Marilyn adored her children and grandchildren. So many fond memories were made on family trips, family outings, and in the phone calls that Marilyn made daily to each one of her children.

Marilyn and David built not only a strong marriage, but a true partnership together throughout their lives. Marilyn was involved as an executive at the company which bore David’s initials, DOD Electronics, which they sold in 1987, and together they built Rolls Corporation, a successful audio electronics company where Marilyn served as President. In 1987, they built their dream home together on Walker Lane in Holladay, Utah. Their home was welcoming to everyone and known as “the place to be” for their children, grandchildren, friends, and family. Marilyn loved being in the water, and when they added on a swimming pool to their home that looked like an outdoor oasis from Disneyland, it was filled every day with friends and family who loved spending time there.

Marilyn was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in her callings diligently and especially enjoyed being involved in primary and the young women’s. She studied her scriptures daily.

Becoming a Grandmother meant the world to Marilyn. She was there for the birth of her two Grandsons, Axel and Max, and loved them dearly. Marilyn is left-handed, and she was so excited that both of her Grandsons were left-handed as well. She loved helping them learn to read and write and spending time playing board games with them.

Marilyn passed on from this life doing what she loved. Traveling with her husband David was her favorite activity, and they were returning from a fun and eventful cruise to Hawaii. They traveled all over the world together and she loved their excursions, trivia sessions, and adventures together.

Marilyn will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her. She was a selfless, caring, soul who would drop everything and do anything she could for someone in need.

A poem that her husband David wrote to her before she passed:

Ode to Marilyn

Oh Marilyn I love you

Last century you gave yourself to me

With hope in your eyes, excitement in your soul

Giving your all with no thought of yourself

Oh Marilyn you love me

And care and worry for me

That our dreams may come to pass

and eternity be our guide

Oh Marilyn how you ache for your children

and seek to make their burdens light

no thought to yourself or your strife

giving all of yourself till there be none left

Oh Marilyn your preparation is good

Your wisdom is sound though your strength fails

Your spirit prevails and your efforts rewarded

Your family is your testament

Love,

David

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 30th, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Cottonwood 2nd LDS ward (2080 East 5165 South HOLLADAY, Utah 84117).

Marilyn had a special place in her heart for helping children in need and she volunteered for both the Christmas Box Home and for Primary Children’s hospital. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to these charities, or a charity of your choice.

https://thechristmasbox.org/donate

https://intermountainhealthcare.org/locations/primary-childrens-hospital/giving-volunteering/intermountain-foundation/

Services

Funeral Service

Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cotttonwood 2nd Ward
2080 East 5165 South
Holladay, UT 84117

Services Handled By

Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary
4760 S State Street
Murray, UT

Life Story Info

Post Date

Nov 26, 2019

Contribute

“In lieu of flowers...”

https://thechristmasbox.org/donate

Personal Info

Age

64

Gender

Female

Religion and Beliefs

Latter-day Saint
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