Miss You Sister Marilyn Adams

I was saddened by the announcement made by President G. Tobias in our meeting this Sunday on the death of Sister Marilyn Houtz Adams, a returned couple missionary assigned to our Church here in La Carlota City for a year and a half sometime in April 2009.

"Why I didn't know that?" I asked myself. When I went home, I checked right away my facebook account, just to find out that the last time I communicated with her was on December 18, 2011.

I went further tracing back our communications. It was on December 17, 2011 that I knew from one of her replies to a member of the Church, who greeted her merry christmas.

She wrote: "We are doing good. I just found out I have pancreas cancer and will start treatments of chemo on Dec 27. Hoping to shink the tumor so I can have surgery to remove it. Sorry I didn't get the Christmas card sent to the family! Merry Christmas"

I right away gave her a note: "We're very much sorry to learn that you've been stricken by a pancreatic cancer. We'll pray for you, for the shrinkage of the said malady so that it could be surgically removed. Regards to your beloved hubby and to your family circle... Merry Chrsitmas...♥♥♥"

Sister Adams with her hubby Elder Steve  for a posterity pose with
the La Carlota First Branch members before she went home.

She replied right away, "Thanks for your interest and prayers! I know they really help a lot!Did you receive the things I mailed to you regarding Leah Houtz? Merry Christmas in advance to all!!!!!!!!"

I replied, "Yes I received them."

Then she replied back, "Glad you did. Talk to you later"

Well, that's the last message I received from her until I knew that she already passed away on December 31, 2011 at the age of 61.

Follows an excerpt from her Obituary:

"Marilyn Houtz Adams, 61 of Lehi, returned to her Heavenly Father on December 31, 2011 after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. Marilyn was born May 13, 1950 in American Fork, Utah to Max Kenneth Houtz and Melba Carter Houtz.

"She graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1968 and later attended cosmetology school. She married her high school sweetheart, Stephen Robert Adams, on November 14th 1969 in the Salt Lake City LDS temple...

"As a mother of 7 boys, Marilyn was a hard worker and a go-getter. She was incredible at seeing a need and filling it. She was skilled in the arts of knitting and crocheting and shared these talents with people all over the world. She spent many years serving as a humanitarian for her church and community. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Marilyn whole-heartedly devoted herself to her callings and served in many capacities. She was a fantastic example of the gospel and unconditional love to each person she came in contact with...

"In April of 2009 Marilyn and Stephen were blessed with the opportunity to serve the people of the Bacolod Philippines LDS mission. This 18 month experience permitted her to give of herself in a way she had not been able to give before. She touched the lives of so many people while serving there and taught charity and service to them through her example.

"Marilyn will be missed immensely by her husband Stephen, her 7 sons: Mark (Dianne) of Uintah, Kenneth (Jeannette) of Sandy, Les (Elise) of Greely Colorado, Nathan (Anna) of Pleasant Grove, Robert (Tara) of Highland, Darin (Karilynn) of Lehi, Nicholas (Alisha) of Orem and her 21 grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother Melba Carter Houtz, her sister Shirlene Thomas, and two brothers Brent and Kevin Houtz all of Pleasant Grove. "

Her funeral services was held January 4, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lehi 5th ward Chapel 465 E. 300 N. Lehi. And she was finally led to rest at Lehi City Cemetery.

Condolence to Brother Steve and to the whole bereaved family.

We miss you Sister Marilyn!