Marlene Rae Taylor Fife Obituary (1933 - 2018)

Marlene Rae Taylor Fife was born in Provo, Utah on June 12, 1933 to Ellis Taylor and Mabel Muir Taylor. She passed away February 12, 2018 in Sandy, Utah. Marlene lived in many places as she was growing up—places like Redding, California; Reno, Nevada; Park City and Provo, Utah. Her family followed her father, Ellis, a coal miner/carpenter/mechanic, as he traveled to find work. At one time, they even had a small farm in Highland, Utah with a cow and a large garden. When they finally settled in Murray, Utah, her mom, Mabel, got a job as a telephone operator for “Ma Bell”. Marlene was a smart child and her father once threatened to send her to Congress. She replied, “You do and I’ll get out of there.” Marlene graduated from Murray High School in May of 1951. She was very talented at shorthand and typing and very proud of her skills. Her first job was a receptionist for Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary. She had other secretarial jobs, but was most proud of her career as a legal secretary for Federal Judge, David T. Lewis, US Court of Appeals. Marlene married Jay Madsen July 12, 1952. They had four children. The oldest, Ron, was born in Hawaii while Jay was serving in the Navy. Peggy, Jeri and Jeanette were all born in Utah. She later divorced and married Richard Fife on September 1, 1967. This added two children, Cary and Ranice, to the family. Now there were six! The family loved to camp and fish and spent many vacations in Island Park, Idaho fly fishing on the Snake River. Her career and family were very important to her. Marlene was also a proud grandmother to many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two of her children, Peggy and Jeri; as well as her parents. Marlene and Richard were married 41 years. After raising their children, they were able to have some fun. They traveled to New York, Canada, and Mexico. Marlene had many hobbies and loved to read novels of all kinds, but mostly mysteries. She is also talented at sewing and knitting and has crocheted beautiful afghans for her children and grandchildren. Graveside Services will be Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Mtn. View Memorial Estates Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Blvd., Sandy, Utah. A viewing for family and friends on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State Street, Murray, Utah. The family expresses their sincere appreciation and thanks to Alta Ridge Assisted Living for the loving care they provided to Marlene. Marlene lived at Alta Ridge for 3 years now and was loved by all. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com