OPIE, Muriel Marlene

Muriel Marlene Freeman Opie, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on February 3, 2004. Marlene was born in Mesa Arizona on August 21, 1931 to Andrew Allen Freeman and Muriel Power. Life long resident of Mesa, she was the 2nd of four children with two brothers and one sister. Fondly known as Molly through her school years, she attended Lehi Elementary School and graduated from Mesa High School, class of 1949. Marlene received a Bachelors and a Masters of Education degree from Arizona State University, and had been admitted into the Doctoral program there. After teaching elementary school for a number of years Marlene chose to return to where her heart truly was, being a full time wife and mother and raising her family. Marlene was a faithful, lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her exemplary life was one of tireless service to God, family, and her community. A teacher and role model her entire life, she taught marriage enrichment seminars throughout the United States with her devoted husband. Marlene continued her life of loving service as a missionary at the LDS Family Genealogical Center. Marlene married her childhood sweetheart, Delbert Lynn Opie. September 6, 1952 in the Mesa Temple and together they started a most loving family. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Dr. Delbert L. Opie, her children: Debra (Gary) Stoddard; Douglas Delbert (Valerie) Opie; Mitchell Lynn (Debbie) Opie, Tamra (Duane) Gross; Paul Andrew Opie; Charlene (Matthew) Hogle; Jody (Daniel) Ethington; Garry John Thomas Opie: 28 grandchildren and 2 great-grand-children; brothers Wayne and Arthur Freeman and sister Dixie Home. A visitation was held at Meldrum Mortuary at 52 N. MacDonald. Funeral services were at the LDS Mesa Lehi Stake Building at 1430 N. Grand. Published in the Arizona Republic from 2/5/2004 - 2/6/2004.