Marilyn Bray Whiting

BURLEY – Marilyn Bray Whiting, 69, of Burley, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016, at Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley, after finally succumbing to a valiant, decades'-long battle with a brain tumor.

Marilyn was born March 14, 1947, in Burley, to Bob and Penny Bosworth Bray; several moves and sixty-nine years later, she was still within walking distance of her first home when she passed away.

She had one brother, Steven, born a couple of years after Marilyn. She took to the piano early, and by her teens, it was a rare day that she would spend less than four hours at the piano. The piano was her joy and her refuge from the world.

She was strong-willed and she was a fighter; not in the classic sense, for about the only fist-fight she ever had was in early grade school when she pounded a bully that was picking on Steven. Steven wasn’t dually appreciative that a girl had rescued him, and the bully wasn’t all that happy either.

After high school, she met a young man at an ‘M’ Men and Gleaners activity and they were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple, Nov. 10, 1966. His name was Dick Whiting. They were blessed with nine children in 13 years; half by mail-order. The main difference between those born to them and the adopted children was easier labor pains.

Tracy was the oldest, but not the first, then Ted and his wife, Karen. In due time came Lisa, Kristi, Tara, Gary, Dustin and Kami and her husband, Brandon Otti, and last-of-all, Kim and her husband, Vince Covino. Marilyn now has 28 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A daughter, Lisa; a grandson, Cody Whiting; and Marilyn’s parents have preceded her in death.

In June of 1987, Marilyn acquired a step-mother, Vivian Dillie Bray, whom she dearly loved; and four new siblings to her delight; Jeanne Spencer (Glen), Tracy Stanger (Nan), Randy Stanger (Tamra), and Micki Gonzales (John); all this to go along with her brother, Steve and his wife, Claudette; and their seven children.

If you have listened to Marilyn play the piano, you know she is a perfectionist. If you have listened to her husband play, you may suspect that he is not. In the early years while the babies were still at home, she kept books for Hudson’s Shoe stores in Burley, Twin, Boise, and Ontario, Oregon, and she took accounting classes at night at C.S.I. After the youngest child started school, she worked at Farmer’s Corner. She liked her work there... maybe a little too much... the men got used to spiders in their sandwiches, which, though harmless, because they were only plastic, caused some scratchy throats.

In 1990, Marilyn was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. In 1995, a new microscopic surgery bought her some time; in fact, twenty-one years. During this extra time, Marilyn has accompanied a myriad of music students in recitals, contests and performances, and she has probably accomplished as much in genealogy as anyone in the valley. She will be greatly missed.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Star LDS Church located at 100 S. 200 W., of Burley, with Bishop Bruce Bean officiating. Burial will follow at the Gem Memorial Gardens in Burley.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. preceding the service at the church.