Marjorie Donette Van Dam Ockey

(Marjorie) Donette V. Ockey, 85, died on July 13, 2025, of natural causes. She was born in Ogden, Utah on January 27, 1940, the second child of Donovan Herbert and Ada Strong Van Dam. Because her father served in the Field Artillery during World War II, she spent the first years of her life in several locations in the country near various Army bases. The family moved to Salt Lake City in time for Donette to begin kindergarten. She lived in the Highland Park area until age 12, when she and her family moved to The Hague, Holland while her father presided over the Netherlands Mission from 1952 to 1956. This provided her with rich and unique experiences that influenced her life forever. She served as a full-time missionary during the last 18 months of her time in Holland. She returned to Salt Lake to begin her junior year in high school and graduated from South High in 1958. She briefly attended both Utah State University and the University of Utah before her marriage to Gail Winn Ockey in the Salt Lake Temple on August 31, 1959. She worked as a secretary for an insurance company until the birth of their first child.

She became a full-time wife, homemaker and mother to seven children. Her husband was employed for 34 years by the LDS Church Education System. His assignments took the family to Oakley, Idaho; Idaho Falls, Idaho, Queensland, Australia, Bountiful, Utah and to Pocatello, Idaho where they spent the majority of their years. From 1998-2001 she again became a full-time missionary as she and her husband returned to live in Australia during which time her husband presided over the Australia Brisbane Mission. Upon completion of that assignment, they established a new home in Washington, Utah.

Her life was filled with her devotion to her family and her church. She deeply loved both. She served in all the auxiliary organizations of the Church in a variety of capacities. Her children-- Sharilyn, Christine, John, Kent, Richard, Elizabeth and Jennifer—all brough her satisfaction and joy. She loved the beautiful things of the world and felt grateful to live in a variety of places and to enjoy visits to other areas of interest. She appreciated her many good friends and associates as well as her opportunities to participate in worthwhile activities.

She is survived by six children and their spouses: Sharilyn and Michael Green, Christine and Bryan Tobler, John and Elena Ockey, Kent and Valerie Ockey, Richard and Tane Ockey and Jennifer and Tyler Brinkerhoff, and 23 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a beloved daughter, Elizabeth. She is also survived by a sister and two brothers and their spouses, Daryl Hoole, Marvin and Sandy Van Dam and Lee and Holly Van Dam. Funeral services will be held on August 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Indian Oaks Ward, 1835 South Washington Fields Road, Washington Utah. Viewing to be held August 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. prior to the funeral. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on August 5, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah at Wasatch Lawn, 3401 South Highland Drive. Funeral arrangements by Hughes Mortuary at HughesMortuary.com