Marcia Atkinson

Our beloved Marcia Atkinson (nee Williams), age 77 of Sandy, UT, passed away in her home with her devoted husband by her side on March 31, 2025.

Marcia was born on January 30th in 1948 to Carl Edward and Mildred Williams in Concord, CA. Her father passed away when she was a very young girl, and as a result, Marcia became and remained very close to her mother throughout her life.

After graduating from Ygnacio Valley High School, Marcia eventually decided to move to Utah to attend BYU. She began studying elementary education in 1968 and very quickly met her eternal sweetheart, Brent.

During their courtship, in the spring of 1969, Marcia chose to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was a decision she took very seriously, and it would continue to influence her life in the years to come as she served in and sincerely lived the tenets of her faith.

In 1970, she married her beloved Brent and was sealed to him for eternity in June of that year in the Oakland California Temple. She adjusted easily to married life and enjoyed many activities with her husband, including stream fishing for dinner in nearby canyons, bird watching, and target shooting. During these years, she also began her career as a dedicated elementary school teacher.

However, once she became a mother, Marcia set aside her career for a time. She deeply loved her children and devotedly cared for and taught them. She was a constant voice of reason for them and was always conscious about the values and character she was instilling in each one.

Years later, as she continued her important work as a mother, she returned to her career as an educator. Being naturally inclined to teach others at every opportunity, she threw herself into her work and taught for many years. She greatly valued her students and spent countless long nights preparing lessons and activities for them. She was known to move critters into her school classroom for her students to learn about and enjoy, including gerbils and a lop-eared bunny.

Amidst her work in her home and at school, she also served diligently in numerous assignments within her faith. She was unfailingly steadfast in her duties at church, and she was known to be efficient, dependable, and to have a willingness to serve, all while acting with uncommon generosity and kindness.

Marcia fiercely loved each one of her grandchildren as they came along, and she made time for them all even if it meant traveling far away to be in their presence. An educator at heart, she made it a point to spend time reading with them and teaching them about the world around them as they grew. They loved her in return and carry immeasurable, beautiful memories of the time she spent with them.

Known for her keen intellect and ready laugh, Marcia was also quick to smile and show gratitude and find joy in every situation. She served everybody she met without reserve. She was known to open her home to many over the years. As an animal lover, this included several cats and dogs. She made it a point to find ways to help others, even when it wasn’t convenient or easy, and at times even when it involved much sacrifice.

She led an exemplary life and has left an enduring impression on those blessed enough to have known her and who have spent time in her presence. She will always be remembered for her strength of character, her fortitude during times of adversity, her steadiness, integrity, her service, and her incredible faith. How greatly she will be missed!

She leaves behind her husband, Brent, her four children and their spouses, Seth Atkinson (Melanie), Amber Powell (James), Jed Atkinson (Chandra), and Greg Atkinson (Jessica), and fifteen grandchildren.

Though we wish we could have had her with us longer, we know those loved ones who preceded her in death, her mother, Mildred, and father, Ed, and her two brothers Dennis and Darrell, welcomed her with open arms and the reunion was joyous.

We are so thankful for the time we had with our precious Marcia Atkinson. Our rich memories of her and her beautiful legacy of love, faith, intelligence, and goodness will continue to live on and will never be forgotten.

Finally, we wish to express our gratitude to the wonderful staff at Elevation Hospice for their compassionate care and help during Marcia’s final days.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM at the Nephi City Cemetery, 400 East 400 North, Nephi, Utah.