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The 2023 Grand Marshal of the Riverton Parade is Marilee Joyce Swenson Withers. A former Midvale resident, Marilee adopted Riverton when she married Hometown Boy, Gerald “Jim” Withers in September of 1954. Aside from a couple of years when they sought employment elsewhere, Marilee spent the next 69 years as a daughter of Riverton. The Withers family spent the majority of their life in a home they built on 12600 South and 1300 West. As Riverton began to expand and 12600 was widened, Marilee was forced to move to a road less traveled where she continues to enjoy her life. Jim and Marilee raised their 5 children in Riverton. All have fond memories of growing up in this town.
Marilee has been a hard worker all of her life. She always had a job to help provide for her family. She helped Jim in his Dairy Industry Occupation, candled eggs at Oakdale Egg Farm, sold toys at in-home parties, sewed and altered clothing and costumes for various events and programs. She started as a temporary rural mail carrier at the Riverton Post Office, eventually moving into a full-time position, then retiring after 20 years of service. She is well known for her kindness and friendliness toward her patrons; still being recognized by many as “The Mail Lady.” After retirement she shuttled rental cars to the airport and worked at Nuttalls Fabric Store.
In the early days in Riverton, Marilee served on an Emergency Preparedness Committee. Her home was a designated meeting place and she helped dispense information to the townspeople in the case of an incident. When “Town Days” was first conceived, everyone assisted in some capacity as the fun was all provided by the townspeople. Marilee was always a part of the plan!
Marilee served as PTA President, held multiple leadership roles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spent 4 years serving in the Jordan River Temple, and went on a Mission to New Zealand. She has been a life-long member of The Daughters of Utah Pioneers and serves as a docent at the DUP Museum in Salt Lake City. She volunteered for many years at the Jordan Valley Hospital and The Festival of Trees. She quilts monthly for the benefit of Primary Childrens Hospital.
Marilee has been a widow for 24 years. She is the grandmother to 16 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and one newly born great-great-grandson.
Marilee has boundless energy and is always thinking of others and how she can help. She is very sociable, has never met a stranger and genuinely enjoys people. You can find her on Tuesdays and Thursdays playing a very competitive game of Canasta at the Senior Center! She treasures her life in Riverton, the friends she has made, and the memories life here has provided.
Grand Marshal Nominations
Public nominations are being accepted for Grand Marshal for the Riverton Town Days Parade. A committee will provide a review of all nominations and ultimately make the selection of Grand Marshal. Nominations must be submitted by June 12, 2023 to be considered. To submit a nomination, please complete the online form below or click here to download a PDF form.Criteria
- Nominee will be selected on the basis of his/her contributions to the quality of life in Riverton , through: civic and/or social services; humanitarianism; personal achievements in the areas of the arts, sports, etc.; or based on the distinction that he/she has brought to Riverton resulting from achievements elsewhere.
- Nominee should be a current or long term past resident of Riverton, Utah.
- Nominee must be willing to act as Grand Marshal.
- Nominee must be willing and able to attend the Town Days Parade.