Marian Eve Killian Stapley

Marian Eve Killian Stapley passed away on June 18, 2014 at the age of 84. Born January 1, 1930 at Miami Inspiration Hospital in Miami, Arizona, she was Arizona's very first baby of the new year. She was the daughter of two Arizona pioneer families, the Killians of Thatcher and the Ellsworths of Safford. She lived in Safford, Arizona until she was five years old, when her family moved to 440 East 1st Avenue in Mesa, just a block away from the Mesa LDS Temple. She attended Irving Elementary School and Mesa High School. At Mesa High, she was a member of the Rabbettes marching group that performed at football games and in parades. She also loved to ballroom dance, and performed at the Mezona and Orpheum theaters. She graduated from Mesa High as Salutatorian in 1947. After high school, she attended the University of Arizona, and then transferred to Arizona State University for her final year, graduating early in Home Economics Education in December of 1950. She immediately took a teaching position at Prescott High School in Prescott, Arizona. She was very active in her college sorority, Pi Beta Phi, serving as an Arizona delegate to the National Convention and as Phoenix Alumnae Club president twice, in 1957-58 and 1975-76. In 1951 she married Glenn Orth Stapley of Phoenix, Arizona. She was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many positions including Relief Society President. Although she was very busy raising seven children, she volunteered for several community-based organizations including the Goodwill Auxiliary, where she participated for many years in organizing its well-known annual antique sale. She was in high demand as a speaker, teaching classes in gracious living and etiquette for the Phoenix Honors Cotillion and many other organizations. Mrs. Stapley enthusiastically supported the Boy Scouts of America. She served in many positions, including Cub Pack Leader and Scout Advancement Chairman. One of her proudest accomplishments was that each of her four sons earned the Eagle Scout award, the highest award possible for a Scout to earn. The majority of her grandsons have earned that award as well, with a few still in process. In addition to her own sons and grandsons, she has inspired and assisted many young men in earning this achievement. Mrs. Stapley enjoyed spending time with her seven children and their spouses, and especially her 36 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is survived by a brother, C. Max Gay Killian, and her children, Melinda Michael Peterman, Charles Stacy Stapley, Gregory Deborah Stapley, Brent Julie Stapley, Ray Lisa Stapley, Jessie Jeff Pitcher, Milena Michael Delgado and their families. Flowers are appreciated and her favorite charities are LDS Philantropies.org - Perpetual Education Fund and Boy Scouts of America - Grand Canyon Council. Services will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4640 E. Holmes, Mesa, AZ. Inquiries may be addressed to Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N. MacDonald, Mesa, AZ 85201.