Ellen Marilyn Fox was born April 23, 1930 in Long Branch, New Jersey. Marilyn grew up the fifth of seven children born to Harold Leroy Barham and Ellen Madeline Pyper Barham. Marilyn's valiant mother brought all seven children by train to Salt Lake City in 1937. Her mother created a happy home for the seven children. One story they all loved to tell was that their mother let them gather tires and cover the back yard. They had a lot of fun jumping from tire to tire playing tag and creating games before they had to return the tires to the gas station. Her mother taught her the love of Jesus Christ by reading the children bible stories.
Marilyn graduated from East High in 1948. Then she went to comptometer school and modeling school. In 1949 she worked for the Mountain Bell Telephone Co. and was one of the fastest comptometrist (operates a machine that automatically performs mathematical processes). She started working in television when it was new to Utah in the late 1940's. She first appeared on the Eugene Jelesnik TV show doing fashion commercials between talent acts. In the 1950's she did live commercials on television, modeling high fashion clothing. She modeled for many clothing stores including, ZCMI, Auebach's, Makoff's, Utah Woolen Mills Catalog, The Late Night Show and others. She also did newspaper ads and ads for Utah Power and Light and First Security Bank.
Her brother Bill worked at Hill Air Force and asked her if she would go and show the contestants how to move, turn and smile. The Marines then asked her to represent them for queen. She then ran for Miss Armed Forces of Ogden Marine Corps Reserve for 1950 and won! After that she ran for Miss Armed Forces of Utah and was co-queen.
In 1950 she married Frank A. Herridge who was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and they traveled for four years to various parts of the country. They wanted children from the start of their marriage. They tried for 9 years and finally with joy in their hearts adopted their first child (Lisa) in 1959, their second (Bradley) in 1961, and their third (Tom) in 1968. She was so excited to be a mother she quit her job to become a full time homemaker. Nothing was more important to Marilyn than her family and her faith. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she held many church callings. Some of them were Nursery Leader, Primary Teacher, Primary President, Stake Relief Society Presidency, Relief Society Counselor and teacher, Young Women's President and teacher.
Even though Frank and Marilyn divorced, they continued to co-parent their children and Marilyn remarried Leo W. Fox in 2002.
Some of her hobbies included reading, planting beautiful flower gardens, and she wrote over 60 treasured poems. We are eternally grateful for the legacy of love she has left for all of us!
Marilyn is survived by her brother Bill Barham; children Lisa (Gordon) Clark, Brad (Joanie) Herridge, Tom (Rhonda) Herridge; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leo W. Fox, two sisters and three brothers, and her parents.
The family wishes to express appreciation to Carrington Court and the fabulous staff, and especially Diane Kunz who provided her with many hours of activities and was like a daughter to her. We would also like to thank Symbii Hospice who compassionately cared for Marilyn in her final days.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., there will be a viewing at 10:00 a.m. Viewing and funeral will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT.
