Marilyn Cecilia Waris Pike's Obituary
Marilyn Cecilia Waris Pike, 92, of Mapleton, Utah, died on August 8, 2022. She was born January 23, 1930 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. She was the only child of the late Sulo Alexander Waris and Rauha Cecilia Aijala Waris. Marilyn was married (1952) to the late Ronald Marston Pike. They were long-time residents of Pelham, NH. More recently, they lived in Salt Lake City and in Mapleton, Utah. For the past few years, Marilyn lived in Mapleton with her son and daughter-in-law and at the Spring Gardens Senior Living facility.
Growing up in Fitchburg, MA, Marilyn was raised speaking Finnish, and attended the Finnish Lutheran Church with her grandmother. She was a member of Rainbow Girls (a youth service organization) and graduated from Fitchburg High School in the class of 1948. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in 1952. It is there that she met her husband, Ron.
Over the years, Marilyn worked part time as a lifeguard, and eventually as an occupational therapist in public schools and at nursing homes. She was also active in Girl Scouts in Pelham for many years. A self-described “people person,” she loved to do things with friends and family and kept in regular contact with them.
Always very proud of her Finnish heritage, Marilyn connected with many extended family members in the USA and Finland. She spoke Finnish throughout her life and was grateful to visit Finland and her relatives there nine times. She was happy to have her grandchildren call her “Mummu,” the Finnish word for grandmother.
Marilyn was always religious. As an adult, she served in the Ladies Aid group at the Pelham Congregational Church. She and her family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1965. She served as a ward Relief Society President (a women’s service organization) three times, was in the New England Mission Primary presidency, and served in numerous other callings.
Marilyn loved music. She was first violin in her high school orchestra. She sang in choruses in college and in various church choirs for most of her life. She also loved dancing, first taking tap lessons as a six-year-old. Additionally, Marilyn enjoyed family history, cooking, flowers, and the beach. She was a devoted and energetic wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. May she rest in peace.
Marilyn is survived by her son, Dana M. Pike and his wife Jane Marie Allis-Pike, of Mapleton, UT; her daughter Gretchen Leigh Pike Mourtgos and her husband John Mourtgos, of Washington, UT; by seven grandchildren: Benjamin (Emilee) Pike, Daniel (Joanna) Pike, Allison (Michael) Pike-Merrell, Erik (Shelley) Mourtgos, Shane (Laura) Mourtgos, Scott (Brooke) Mourtgos, and Beth (Ryan) Mourtgos Taylor; by twenty great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Pauline Pike Bender and her husband George Bender of Walnut Creek, OH; and by a sister-in-law, Mary Clayton Pike of Granby, CT. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Ron (2019).
A memorial service will be celebrated Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 825 Hawks Rest Dr., Mapleton, UT, with Bishop Jason Murray officiating.
A viewing will be held at the same chapel from 9:15–10:45 a.m., that morning.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Humanitarian Aid Fund, https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/funds/humanitarian-general-fund
The Finlandia Foundation National, https://finlandiafoundation.org/giving/donate-today-2018-2/
Or a charity of your choice.
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