Marilyn Cushing Cleveland

It is with a deep sense of love that we remember the life of Marilyn Cushing Cleveland- mother, grandmother, sister and friend. On November 2, 2026 she peacefully returned to her Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ after a valiant life.

On April 23, 1942 heaven sent a seraphic soul to earth to proud parents, James Wayne and Marian Nilsson Cushing at the LDS hospital in Salt Lake City Utah. From the very beginning, her life was a divine story that shared a little piece of heaven with every person who had the privilege of meeting her. Marilyn‘s life was a testament to her witty, soft-spoken, loving nature.

Marilyn, the eldest of four children, had a God-given spirit of caring, and kindness towards each of her siblings.

She was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She was born with a deep love for music, which she delighted in sharing her voice, teaching the principles of music to family, performing in church and a traveling singing group The Village Lace. She devoutly listened to the Tabernacle Choir, it filled her home with the Spirit.

Selfless service was a staple in her daily life. She was always putting others before herself. She often welcomed others into her home with nourishment, visiting and delivering homemade food, engaging in sincere conversation, making a phone call or sending a hand picked card sealed with her heartwarming unique signature.

She met the love of her life, Richard Elwood Cleveland, after his family moved nearby from southern Idaho. Their friendship grew into an everlasting love. Shortly after Richard returned home from his LDS mission, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah LDS temple on April 12, 1963. In 1964, they began their legacy of a family and raised six beautiful children by 1974. Additionally they also selflessly committed to raise three granddaughters. Together Marilyn and Richard resided in Salt Lake City, Sandy and South Jordan, Utah, as well as Reno, Nevada.

Marilyn worked professionally full time as an Executive Assistant primarily as the Assistant to the President of Bonneville International. However, it was her life outside of work that brought her true joy. You could often find Marilyn shopping, baking in the kitchen (with an occasional snacking of butter) or busy doing household chores for her family. If you happen to find her sitting down, she enjoyed reading poetry, doing word searches, playing games like Yahtzee or Scrabble with her family. Family and community meant everything to her and she made that known to all.

Marilyn was widowed when her beloved husband Richard E Cleveland preceded her in death October 14, 2022, they shared an inspiring 59-year marriage. As eternal companions, they performed temple work and genealogy. They supported each other through church callings and the challenges of life, now once again they’re reunited in the spiritual realm.

As we remember, Marilyn, we reflect on the words of the poet Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Marilyn made everyone feel cherished, loved, special and like family.

Marilyn‘s life was a beautiful tapestry of love, laughter, and faith. Her legacy of six children, 20 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren will live on in the hearts of those who are blessed to know her. She is survived by her sister, Dianne Cushing and brother David (Carol) Cushing, and children Richard (Shelley), Michael, Aimee (Blaine), Ryan (Janell), Laura (Todd) and daughter-in-law Laura-Giometta. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Wayne Cushing and Marian Nilsson Cushing, her son, Nathan Blake Cleveland, and sister Cathy Cushing Richardson.

Please join us to celebrate her life
Saturday November 14,2026.
LDS Chapel 9455 S. 4800 W.,
South Jordan, UT 84009, at 10:30am.
A viewing will precede funeral at the same location from 9:00-10:00 am.

She will be laid to rest at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park South Valley Cemetery in Riverton, Utah. We invite you to share your memories and upload photos of Marilyn to her memorial page. In doing so, we can celebrate and honor the life of this extraordinary woman together.