St George, Utah - Marilyn Bell Hudson Palmer was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 30, 1937, to Samuel Lee Hudson and Verna Bernice Bunker Hudson. Marilyn died peacefully at her home in Saint George, Utah September 1, 2024.

Marilyn attended school in Orem, Utah and graduated from Lincoln High School. She attended Brigham Young University for one year before marrying Lawrence Merrill Palmer, August 31, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple. This past August 31 was their 68th wedding anniversary. Marilyn and Merrill have four children - Becky, Brian, Shelly, and Lance, whom she loved dearly and of whom she was always very proud.

Marilyn and Merrill have lived in Provo, Utah; Scottsdale Arizona; Arcadia, California; La Mesa, California; and Saint George, Utah. Marilyn loved life and everyone in it. She had great sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others. She was vibrant, vivacious, and warm, with a winning personality and a smile that could light up the room—and often did.  She and Merrill traveled extensively - as many as 124 nights per year. They enjoyed spending time with family and participating in intellectual, cultural, and social activities. She loved being physically active and was particularly fond of water aerobics. She was a lifetime active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many church callings. She was a dear friend to many.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, her older brother Lee and his wife Linda, granddaughter Christie Jackson Cox, and granddaughter-in-law Traci Jackson.

She is survived by her husband Merrill; children: Rebecca Lyn Palmer Jackson (Douglas) of Saint George, Utah; Brian Lee Palmer (Lisa), Belmont, MA; Rochelle Ann Palmer Rabaut (Jamison), Livonia, MI; and Lance Kay Palmer (Jenifer), Agoura Hills, CA; 19 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A Family Graveside burial service is planned for Friday evening, September 13, 2024.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 750 East Ft. Pierce Drive North, Saint George, UT 84790.

The Celebration of Life will be live streamed at the following link:

Marilyn Palmer Livestream

In lieu of flowers the family requests that those who would like to contribute make a gift to The Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or to the charity of their choice.