Marilyn Gae Maughan

Marilyn Gae Maughan passed away on Monday, February 15, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. She was born on October 29, 1949 to Russell Jay and Irene James Maughan in Logan, Utah. She was the second of six children. Marilyn spent a great deal of her childhood riding horses through the fields and foothills of North Logan.

She attended schools in the valley, graduating from SkyView High School in 1967, where she excelled academically. She received her Bachelor’s degree in 1971 from Utah State University in Early Childhood Education and Social Work. She had the privilege of sharing the graduation stage with her mother, Irene, who also graduated from USU that same year. Marilyn frequently found herself on the Dean’s list throughout her college days.

Upon graduation she accepted a job at a correctional school for girls in Caliente, NV. It was here that she met Roger Sides, whom she later married. The couple moved to Tempe, AZ in 1975 and it was during her time there that she was blessed with two children, Melanie and Wayne. The young family eventually settled in the mountains of northern Arizona, in the small town of Snowflake. Marilyn once again had the opportunity to use her talents and college degree, working as a substitute teacher in the local school district for several years. She then went to work for the Head Start Program of Arizona, first as a teacher and later as a specialist that did therapy with the children in their homes; this was a job she loved.

Her children meant the world to her. Her own mother paid her the highest tribute when she said, “Marilyn is the best mother I have ever seen.” She has one grandson, Ian, who she thinks is the greatest kid on earth.

After divorcing in 2000, Marilyn returned to Tempe for several years before making her way back north. Before ill health brought Marilyn to Logan, she lived and worked in Salt Lake City. She loved walking her dog in Memory Grove, where she made many friends of both the two- and four-legged variety. In addition to her love for animals, she had a kind heart and real soft spot for anyone who was down on their luck.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Melanie (Tory) Stradling of Kingman, AZ; Wayne (Tara) Sides of Mesa, AZ and one grandson, Ian Sides. She is also survived by her siblings, Jeanie (Tim) Davis of Paradise, UT; Jay (Phyllis) Maughan of Cedar City, UT; Kory (Kristen) Maughan of Geneseo, IL; Connie (Roger) Welsh of Hyde Park, UT; and Craig (Serena) Maughan of Nibley, UT; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside services will be held in the Logan City Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Arrangements are under the direction of Allen Mortuaries. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net .

The family would like to thank the staff at Sunshine Terrace, the nurses at Intermountain Hospice, and Dr. Bradley Chambers for their kind and loving care during the last months of Marilyn’s life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Cache Humane Society.