Marlene Horrocks Swain

MARLENE HORROCKS SWAIN Marlene Horrocks Swain, an elegant yet adventurous lady from the small town of LaPoint, Utah, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025.  She was born on March 16, 1943, the third child to Ronald and Merl (Jenkins) Horrocks.  Marlene has five brothers and two sisters and lived to tell about many farm life adventures with scarcely a dull moment.  She learned early to work hard and study harder in school.  She excelled in high school as a class officer, student body officer, member of the LDS seminary council, and graduated as an honor student.  She excelled in sports, especially tennis, and loved dancing.  During her junior year, her lifelong sweetheart, Von Swain, caught her eye.  They married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 20, 1961.  The newlywed couple moved to Ogden and then Logan to pursue Von's education aspirations.  Quickly, Marlene adapted to university life and supported Von by working various jobs.  When Von graduated from Utah State University, they moved to Vernal, and later to Phoenix, Arizona, next to Casper, Wyoming, and settled in Cedar City for 27 years.  They raised four children, two daughters and two sons.  Marlene continued a master's course in motherhood while supplementing the family's income by working several part-time jobs.   As empty nesters, they fulfilled their lifelong dream to retire in Vernal, Utah, where Von worked on a small farm and Marlene created her magnum opus...her incomparable flower gardens.  Her favorite pastime, between chasing children and grandchildren, was cultivating flower beds.  However, Marlene and Von always prioritized interests in their children: Tamera (Dan) Sullivan, Monica (Larry) Rowe, Darren (Kate) Swain, and Jason (RaDel) Swain.  Marlene doted, unapologetically, on her eleven grandchildren, Shelby, MaKayla, Blake, Alexis, Chandler, Dezmond, Damon, Ginny, Marlee, Jackson, and Belah, and several step-grandchildren.  Marlene deeply loved all of her 16 great-grandchildren.  They helped her survive the last 13 years without her sweetheart, Von, who died on October 8, 2012.   Our dearest mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother loved travelling the world, seeing new cultures, and surviving mishaps and surprises around every corner, and visiting all the main continents, except for "those cold ones."  She instilled in her family the power of her testimony in Jesus Christ, the importance of service, being a hard worker, loving books, learning (always), and making friends wherever you go.   Marlene served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She relished learning gospel principles and topics and attended, and repeatedly attended, LDS institute classes until she said, "I think I should have a master's degree in LDS studies."  These last two years, Marlene strengthened her testimony and gained power, purpose, and peace by worshipping in the temple.  She said she couldn't wait to meet all the people she helped.   Marlene is survived by her four children, all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the following siblings:  Keith Horrocks, Howard (Karen) Horrocks, Glenn (Pauline) Horrocks, Judy (Mark) Corfine, Lewis (Sherry) Horrocks, Bruce (Westona) Horrocks, and Becky (Lance) Hancock.  Marlene's death is preceded by her husband, Von, and her parents, Ronald and Merl Horrocks.   Marlene survived several illnesses in her life, but she always exhibited a tender heart with high expectations, compassion with high standards, and unwavering loyalty towards her many friends and family members.  Her private pursuits included retelling her treasured moments, captured in fleeting time, uninhibited through her constant yearnings for the thrill before a grand adventure.  Happy reunion with your loved ones, Mom.  We will see you again.   Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Blackburn Mortuary at 15 East 100 North,  Vernal, Utah.  A viewing will be held at 10:00 am, before the service. Interment will be in the LaPoint City Cemetery under the direction of Blackburn Mortuary.  Instead of flowers, Marlene would encourage you to smile at a passing stranger and do a good deed every day.