Celebrity
Donna Rae Garff Marriott, Cherished Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Community Leader, Passes Away at Age 90
Marriott International announces with deep sadness the passing of Donna Rae Garff Marriott, a woman of grace, faith, and unwavering devotion to family. Mrs. Marriott passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. She and J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Marriott International, recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
About this update from Marriott International
[{"type":"text","content":"BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International announces with deep sadness the passing of Donna Rae Garff Marriott, a woman of grace, faith, and unwavering devotion to family. Mrs. Marriott passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. She and J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Marriott International, recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.","length":438,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"Donna Marriott (1935 - 2025)","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Donna Marriott (1935 - 2025)","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":267,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/d4093ed43786bda146456fd076c69bbf"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ze9xtbEBjt6QGp3y5c0gqA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTQ3MTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/d4093ed43786bda146456fd076c69bbf","width":400,"height":267}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2853054/Marriott_International_Inc___Donna_Marriott.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"Born June 10, 1935, in Evanston, Illinois, Donna grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she developed a love for music and dance and attended the University of Utah. In 1955, she married Bill Marriott, beginning a life centered on family, faith, and service – a life that would touch countless others through her warmth and generosity.","length":335,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Donna was known for creating a home filled with love and tradition. She devoted herself to raising four children – Debbie, Stephen, John, and David – instilling values of kindness, patience, and integrity. She drove carpools, cheered at sporting events, and made sure family dinners were a nightly ritual. Holidays were her special joy, marked by gatherings that brought together children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and by her handmade needlepoint stockings and ornaments that became treasured family keepsakes.","length":525,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""I first met the girl of my dreams sitting on a bench at a bus stop at the University of Utah," said Bill Marriott. "She has blessed my life and the lives our children and grandchildren for over 70 years. It has been a joyfu...