About Marilyn Flake Llewellyn
“Yippie! Yippie! Yippie!” is what we imagine Mom saying as she was reunited in heaven with her eternal companion, Robert N. Llewellyn, on December 14. Mom peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones after suffering an unexpected brain hemorrhage that took her life within a few hours.
Marilyn Flake Llewellyn was born in Mesa, AZ to Sam and Rula Flake being the fourth of five children. She grew up on the family farm in Scottsdale “with those dang Shetland ponies”.
Mom met the love of her life, Bob Llewellyn, at one of his band gigs (when she was on a date with another guy) where she introduced herself as Gertrude. When Dad didn’t make fun of her fake name she thought “this guy is better than the one I came with”. He would teasingly call her Gertrude throughout their 49 years of marriage together.
After a five-year courtship they were married for time and all eternity on April Fool’s Day 1972 in the Mesa Arizona temple.
While Dad worked and was serving in his church leadership callings, Mom supported him and held down the fort at home with their 6 good luck CHARMS. Her life’s focus was on Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him. She spent many years serving as ward and stake Relief Society President and Young Women’s President. But later in life, her favorite calling was Nursery Leader.
Mom loved chocolate, especially mint chocolate. The morning of her passing she complained of a headache. We attributed it to that morning’s chocolate binge. We are lovingly calling her passing “death by chocolate”.
Being the most loving and generous person, she gave of her time, talents, and resources to those struggling and in need. There were always extra guests at holidays and Sunday family dinners.
Together, Mom and Dad served a mission in the Maryland Baltimore Mission from 2018-2019. While there they met wonderful people, who impacted their lives tremendously. When Dad got sick in Baltimore, she showed great strength, stamina, and love as she held vigil by his hospital bed for 8 months.
In her final years, Mom suffered from dementia which made life with her even more entertaining. She thought everyone she met was her best friend and had a story to tell anyone who would listen. She was constantly smiling and radiated light, happiness, and positivity.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband Bob Llewellyn and her 3 older siblings Deone Croff, Sandy Risley, and Dennis Flake. She is survived by her children Cambria (Scott) Blair, Heather (Sam) Gray, Angela (Mike) Kelly, Robert Jr, Matthew (Holly), Steven, 17 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and her brother Reed Flake.
A viewing will be held Friday, December 20 from 6 pm-8 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5104 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Glendale, AZ. Burial services will be Saturday, December 21 at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ at 9 am followed by a visitation at 10 am and funeral services at 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5104 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Glendale, AZ 85310.
This Christmas season, please take time to reflect on your many blessings, hug your loved ones a little tighter and find beauty in airplanes and sunsets.
-Progressing Together Forever CHARMS
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com . Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
