Our beloved mother and grandmother, Marilyn Winger Cannon, to our overwhelming sorrow, died suddenly and unexpectedly on March 2, 2026. Even at 93, all of her children thought we would have at least another five to ten years with her. She was the boon of health.

Marilyn was the last of nine children born January 22, 1933, to Grace McKay Bowen and Joseph Alma Winger. Her next oldest sibling, Elnora, was eight years older than Marilyn. Marilyn was a very spoiled little girl (in her own words) and was adored by her siblings and parents. Every time she cried, her father and oldest brother, Grant, would race to be the first there to pick her up.

Marilyn had a glorious childhood. There was no television when she was little, so she spent hours outside playing with her friends. They would play outdoor games, climb trees, and race through pastures together until the streetlight came on, and that was their signal to all scurry home.

Most of Marilyn's growing-up years, until she graduated from high school, revolved around the paper route job she worked with her big brother, Hugh, to earn money for her family. Hugh had debilitating arthritis, so he would drive the car throughout the Sandy, Granite, and Midvale areas, and Marilyn would deliver the papers to all their customers. There were hundreds. This would include the Deseret News and the Tribune. Come sunshine or blizzards, Marilyn and Hugh would be out on those roads. If they got stuck in the snow, Marilyn would dig them out. If they got a flat tire, Marilyn would change it. If they got two flat tires, which did happen, Marilyn would have to run miles to the shop to borrow a spare. Marilyn and Hugh were very close. He took her everywhere with him and often helped pay for her extracurricular activities. If it was a holiday, or Marilyn had a special event to attend, her brothers-in-law would take her place on the paper route to give her time to be with friends and her family.

Marilyn's mother made homemade, hand-dipped chocolates every year for Christmas. Marilyn grew up helping and then desired to make her own chocolate candies when she had her own household. Her children grew up toting trays of chocolates down to the basement, helping box them up once the candy dipping was complete, and then delivering the goodies to the special people on Marilyns list. We also made sure we taste-tested every one of those chocolates and had our own personal favorites. Marilyn continued making her homemade chocolates until two or three years ago.

After Marilyn graduated from high school, she began working at the Salt Lake Tribune. Marilyn really loved this job and took on many responsibilities. When she quit before her first baby was born, her position at the paper was filled by three new hires, who each took on a different task that Marilyn had handled herself.

While at the newspaper, Marilyn teased her sister Alice that maybe one day Marilyn would get her picture in the newspaper. Alice told her that would be on the day when she married, or on the day when she died. The newspaper used Marilyn as a model many times in its photo shoots, proving Alice wrong.

Marilyn was married to her sweetheart Von Cannon in September 1953. Von's cousin Tony was in Marilyn's young adult group and brought Von and some of his friends to one of their activities. Von and Marilyn began dating shortly after meeting and then married. They filled their home with six delightful children (as written here by one of those delightful children)

Our house overflowed with fun, laughter, and games. Even after the kids left home and started families of their own, they returned often (many times all of us together) to play games around the dining table. The games would go on for hours, and all of us kids delighted in our mother's giggles when she would either win or when the funny comments flew around the table. Marilyn, our beautiful mother, lived for the times when she could sit at the table and play games with her family.

Marilyn was a very talented painter with both textile artwork and oil paintings. She took time to work with her kids, especially her daughters, and taught them how to also oil paint and create with textiles. Marilyn was a talented cook and the best cookie maker in the world. She loved playing her computer games, working on jigsaw puzzles, and reading almost any mystery book she could get her hands on. The books she has read in her lifetime are in the thousands.

Marilyn was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout her life, she had many callings in stake and ward capacities, reflecting her love for service. She probably served in every calling possible for a woman to hold. She also loved being a part of the ward choir. Music was a great love of hers, especially listening to the Tabernacle Choir of Temple Square.

Marilyn and Von served two consecutive missions in the St. George Regional Family History Center from January 2004 to January 2009. After completing their mission service, they worked together in the baptistry of the St. George Temple for several years. When Von could no longer serve in the baptistry, Marilyn continued her temple service as a volunteer in the women's locker room. Marilyn was also a part of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers for 30 years. She loved being a part of this group and held leadership positions.

For many years in Sandy, Utah, Marilyn worked for Jordan School District as a secretary in various elementary schools. When she and Von moved to St. George, Utah, Marilyn worked as the head secretary at the Woodward sixth-grade center. Her grandkids loved visiting her at the school while she was working and then walking across the street to Judd's to get treats.

Marilyn was the last matriarch of the extended family. She is survived by six children: Kathy (Kenneth) Bentley, Gordon Cannon, Kris (Jim) Nelson, Doug (Cindy) Cannon, Jo (Scott) Woodbury, Greg (Heather) Cannon; nineteen grandchildren, fifty-three great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by both her parents, all eight of her siblings and spouses. (Hugh was never married.)  Her loving husband, Von Cannon; one daughter-in-law, Christy Cannon; one granddaughter – Tami Nelson; one grandson – Alix Cannon; and one great-grandson, Brody Nelson.

Funeral services will be held, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the Fort Pierce Chapel, 750 E. Fort Pierce Dr., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., prior to services at the chapel.  Interment will be at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

Those unable to attend are invited to view the services at the following link: Livestream