Marian Fay DeWitt

Marian Fay Harris DeWitt, 77, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2013 at her home in Holbrook, Arizona with loved ones at her side. Marian was born in Winslow, Arizona on January 23, 1936. She was the eldest child of Ralph Marion Harris and Helen Fay Randall Harris. When she was just a toddler, she and her parents moved to Holbrook where Marian spent the rest of her life. She dearly loved her hometown and the very special people and special friends from Holbrook. She always said, "Holbrook may not be the prettiest town, but it has the best people on earth." She truly believed that. Marian spent her childhood years attending Holbrook Public Schools and graduated from Holbrook High School in 1954. Some of her high school activities included Drum Corps (Freshman thru Senior); Sage Brush Staff (Junior/Senior); Editor (Senior); Girl's State (Senior); Class Officer (Freshman thru Senior); Band and Choir (Freshman thru Senior); Carnival Queen (Senior); Music Club (Junior/Senior); and Class Play (Junior). As the years passed after graduation, she planned many, if not all, of their class reunions. It was always an absolute joy for her to reunite with her classmates and friends. In the seventh grade she met and fell in love with the boy that would eventually become her eternal sweetheart, Keith DeWitt. From the seventh grade on, they only had eyes for each other! After she graduated, she went to Arizona State College, which would later become Arizona State University. She went to college for one year and one semester, when Keith finally popped the question, and she said yes! They were married in the Arizona Mesa Temple on June 8, 1956. They had 57 years together being married, plus another six years prior to that as best friends and high school sweethearts, but more importantly, they will spend eternity together. Marian was a lifelong member of the LDS Church with a fervent testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren who were able to serve missions for the Church, including three grandsons that are currently serving: Elder Justin DeWitt (Kenya Nairobi Mission); Elder Luke DeWitt (Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission); and Elder Joel DeWitt (Brazil Teresina Mission). Marian served in various church callings including, Primary, Relief Society and Young Women; she also supported and sustained her husband, Keith, as he served as a bishop and stake president. Together, they were called to be in the first Temple Presidency of the Arizona Snowflake Temple, Keith as a Second Counselor and Marian as an Assistant Matron. They served in that capacity from 2002 to 2005. Marian loved attending and working in the Temple, especially with her sweetheart. Marian was affectionately known as "Mimi" to many friends and family members, but especially to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She absolutely loved being a grandmother and great grandmother! She would say, "The grands are grand, and the greats are greater." Oh, how she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her! Marian's family members include her loving husband of 57 years, Keith DeWitt; her sweet mother, Fay Harris Stratton; her children, including her son, Michael Keith (Charlene) and their children Tara Jo, Adam, Lindsey, Brett (deceased) and Logan; her son, Kevin Ralph (deceased) (Darolyn) and their children Amy, Nichole, Blain, Kaycee and Laurel (deceased), Sean, Lisa, Luke and Joel; her son, Alan Reeves and his children Malea, Chelsea, Garrett and Kaitlyn; her daughter, Trenna Kay (Albert) and their children Kaelynn and Landen; and her son, Scott Randall (Tracy) and their children Kayla, Justin and Kortney. Her siblings are Kay Harris (deceased); Monty (Joy) Harris; Marjory (Dennis) Austin. Stepsiblings include Barbara Whipple (deceased); Shirley (Hartley) Webb; Dan (Iris) Stratton; Steve (Verlyn) Stratton; her brother-in-law Merwin (Diana) DeWitt, sister-in-law Gayle Richards and brother-in-law Neil (Barbara) DeWitt, as well as 22 great- grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive her. She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Marion Harris; granddaughters Kaycee and Laurel DeWitt; son, Kevin Ralph DeWitt; grandson, Brett Randall DeWitt; and sister, Kay Harris. Also preceding her in death were her mother and father-in-law, Martha Turley DeWitt and Malcolm DeWitt, sisters-in-law, Betty Reed and Raenell Hager. The Public Viewing and Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, July 26, 2013 at the Holbrook Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1127 Helen Avenue in Holbrook. The Funeral Service will begin 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 27, 2013, also at the Holbrook Stake Center where additional visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude for the dedicated staff and nurses at Hospice Compassus, especially Brandi Jones, R.N. We are forever grateful for the care, kindness, and compassion extended to our sweet Marian in her final weeks on earth. We ask that if any friends or family members desiring to make a donation, do so in the name of Marian DeWitt to The White Mountain Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1975 in Lakeside, Arizona 85929. We also express special thanks to Tim Livingston and his staff with Owens Livingston Mortuary. Their care and compassion are unmatched.