Donna Rae Garff Marriott, wife of former Marriott International CEO J.W. "Bill" Marriott Jr., died on Dec. 30. She was 90.
Born June 10, 1935, in Evanston, Ill., Donna Marriott grew up in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah, where she met Bill, son of Marriott founder J. Willard Marriott. They married in 1955, recently celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.
"I first met the girl of my dreams sitting on a bench at a bus stop at the University of Utah," said Bill Marriott, the current chairman emeritus of Marriott International. "It has been a joyful marriage and partnership. I will dearly miss her."
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Donna Marriott served in various leadership roles with the church, including primary president and Relief Society counselor. She was also a longtime chair for the American Heart Association's annual Heart Luncheon event in Washington D.C.
She is survived by her husband and three of their children, Debbie, John and David, as well as 15 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Stephen.
"Donna's kindness and devotion touched everyone who knew her," said Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International. "Our hearts are with Mr. Marriott, David, Debbie, John and the entire Marriott family."