Marilyn Ridges Coleman

Born December 20, 1931, in Ogden, Utah, Marilyn was the third daughter of Hank and Jo Ridges. She married her high school sweetheart, Jim Coleman, on October 20, 1950. An exceptional student, she graduated with honors from Ogden High School, then completed two years at Weber State College before putting her education on hold to raise four very lucky children.

Marilyn went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Utah, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She was awarded a scholarship by the Bountiful Women’s Association, enabling her to return to the University of Utah where she attained a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration.

An artist in her own right, she became Director of the Bountiful Davis Art Center in 1984. Through her unparalleled grant-writing skills, she was able to ensure the BDAC, as a non-profit entity, would not only survive but thrive. She and her staff oversaw the curation of many exceptional exhibits, which drew visitors from throughout Davis County and around the state.

Marilyn’s involvement in her community was significant. She received an “Outstanding Service” award as Director of the Bountiful Area Chamber of Commerce from 1983-1986. In 1987, she was honored by the Utah State Chamber of Commerce with the “Total Citizen” award, in appreciation for her extraordinary contributions to public life.

She adored her family while remaining her own person. Like her older sisters, she possessed a scintillating intelligence and a refined sense of humor, making her so much fun to be with. Her immense kindness, and her non-judgmental, easy way of being were an absolute light in our lives. She could tap dance, play piano and harmonize, transforming our holidays with joy, and she shared with us her delight in artistic endeavors and her compassion for the creatures of the natural world, large and small.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband who cherished her, James; her sisters, Janice and Dorothy; and her beloved grandson Clyde. Surviving are her son, Drew (Laura) Coleman of Henderson, Nevada; her three daughters, Susan Coleman of Salt Lake City, Marjorie Rasmussen of Salt Lake City, and Amy Jo (Ozouf) Amedegnato of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family thanks Highland Cove Assisted Living and Hospice Care for, well, everything. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bountiful Davis Art Center or the American Civil Liberties Union. In accordance with her wishes, funeral services will not be held at this time. Arrangements are entrusted to Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com.

To quote her sister Janice, Marilyn was ‘versatile, discerning, beautifully funny, warm-hearted, yet unafraid to enter arenas of injustice to reestablish balance.’ She will always be with us.