Marilyn Ann Ries

Marilyn Ann (DesJarlais) Ries — April 9, 1940 — April 13, 2025 Marilyn Ann Ries of Tucson, Arizona passed away peacefully at home with her husband of 67+ years, John (Jack) and their four daughters by her side. She had just celebrated her 85th birthday, singing along to happy birthday with her adult children in one of her last joyous interactions with family. Marilyn was born the fourth of 14 children on April 9, 1940, in Sheridan, Wyoming to Marguerite (Rice) and Ralph DesJarlais. She was raised in Spokane Washington, and it was there that she met and married the love of her life Jack Ries, a buddy of her older brothers. She often said how handsome and intelligent he was and felt she had gotten the best of the bunch. The couple moved to Helena, Montana and raised their family. She worked for the state of Montana for many years as a keypunch operator and then supervisor. During this time, she also volunteered and led cub scouts, blue birds, and campfire girls' groups. Weekend camping trips were the norm for the family, and she also enjoyed reading, bowling, painting, ceramics, macrame and working crossword puzzles. Taking early retirement, the couple relocated to Tucson, AZ and enjoyed golfing, cruising and extensive travel to different countries. Marilyn's generous spirit led her to volunteer for several years at the Family Attic and Thrift Store, a secondhand store benefiting foster children, adoptions and unplanned pregnancies. Rosary and Mass services will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, May 3rd at Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine Chapel, located at 10310 S. Twin Oaks Rd in Hereford, AZ. A reception will follow at Mary's Knoll House, 10235 S. Twin Oaks Rd in Hereford. All are welcome to attend. Interment at the Angles Rest Columbarium at St. Mary of the Angels Paris in Show Low, AZ. Marilyn is survived by her loving husband Jack, daughters Julie Ries Kessler, Jami Lorigan (Bob), Sheila Amendola, Theresa Bakken (Andy), seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, eight siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved son Michael, her parents, three brothers and two sisters. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in her honor to be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org. 

A special thank you to Bristol Hospice for their extraordinary care and expertise.