Marilyn Crawley Layton, age 86, passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2025, in Santa Rosa, California.
Marilyn was born on March 3, 1939, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Edith “Peggy” Crawley and Virgil Crawley. She spent her early years in Arlington and Thatcher, Arizona, before her family moved to Long Beach, California, where her father attended medical school.
She attended Eastern Arizona College before transferring to Arizona State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. It was at ASU that Marilyn reconnected with the love of her life, Deon Layton. They were married on Sept. 2, 1961, in Long Beach, California.
Marilyn and Deon began their married life in Tolleson, Arizona, where they welcomed their first two children, Deon Jr. and Mitch. The family later moved to Goodyear, Arizona, where their daughter Rikki was born. They subsequently relocated to Buckeye, Arizona, first living in a rental home on Edison Street, where Lindsey was born. Marilyn and Deon then settled permanently in Buckeye, where Deon built their family homestead. It was there that Courtney was born, and where Marilyn and Deon raised their family. Buckeye became the heart of their family life—a community they loved deeply, where they built lifelong friendships and were actively involved in their church.
A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marilyn was a deeply faith-centered woman who lived a Christ-centered life. Her testimony guided her daily walk, and she instilled in her children a lasting love of faith and service. She was actively involved in church life and cherished the sense of community it brought into her home. Marilyn served faithfully in many callings, finding joy and fulfillment in each one, and especially loved serving within the ward she held dear.
Marilyn was known for her beautiful singing voice, her love of sports, and her enthusiastic approach to life. She delighted in laughter and brought lightheartedness and joy into every room she entered. An avid sports enthusiast, she closely followed games of all kinds and had a remarkable knowledge of sports statistics. It was often said within her family that if marbles were a sport, she would be watching. Whether cheering from the sidelines, sharing a laugh, or uplifting others through music, Marilyn lived with warmth, joy, and wholehearted presence. The fondest memories of her children are of the laughter and happiness that filled their home. They are deeply grateful for their parents and find great comfort in knowing that Marilyn and Deon are now reunited in heaven—surely laughing together and enjoying the happiness they so richly shared in life.
She is survived by her children: Deon (Kari) Layton Jr., Mitchell (Natalie) Layton, Rikki (Craig) Shannon, and Courtney Morton; and by her sister, Cheryl Driggs. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Deon Layton, and her daughter, Lindsey Layton.
Marilyn’s life was one of faith, family, friendship, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
