Marion Newham Whitley

Marion Newham Whitley, 74, passed away on September 17, 2023. She was born on August 2, 1949, in Portland, Oregon to Robert W. Newham and Lois Mae Jensen. Theirs was a military family, and as such, Marion lived many places in her lifetime, including three years in Japan. She grew up in Boring Oregon, and later participated in distance learning through Brigham Young University where she earned her BA in Humanities.

Marion married Larry Lee Speck in 1966 and they enjoyed their life together until his passing in 1968. In 1969, she married the love of her life, Donald Maurice Whitley, II.

Marion was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she especially enjoyed her years serving in Young Women. She also served as Stake Public Affairs Director in Tallahassee, FL and she was a master genealogist. She served twice in the Atlanta, Georgia Temple and in the Orlando, Florida Temple.

Marion loved participating in athletic activities including softball (she was a home-run hitter) and scuba diving, and she even participated in drag racing in her youth. She enjoyed reading and studying and was a published author. She loved old movies and musicals, and she loved the beach and the ocean. More than anything else, she loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend special thanks to all the staff at Bingham Memorial Hospital, and also Heritage Hospice, and the Tyhee 44th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for their loving care of Marion and her family.

Marion is survived by her husband, Donald M. Whitley of Pocatello, ID; daughters, Lennea (Layne) Robertson and Trista (Glen) Randall, both of Pocatello, ID; brother, David (Trudy) Newham of Sherwood, OR; sister-in-law, Jean Newham of Lyons, OR; and ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Newham and Lois Jensen; previous husband, Larry Lee Speck; son, Robert Lee Speck; and brother, Robert (Bobby) Newham.

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