Nov 17, 2015 Remembering a Dear Friend: Marsha Irwin

On October 19, the library lost a dear friend in the passing of Marsha Irwin.

Marsha was devoted to helping advance numerous Special Collections programs and initiatives. She joined the Utah Ski Archives board in 2000 at the request of skiing companions Barbara Yamada and John Raemer. As Chair of Logistics, Marsha was the person behind the scenes making the details come together – everything from the dining tables, to the buffet, to the auction layout and audio-visuals. Over the years, Marsha’s efforts had contributed to 14 Ski Affair events, roughly 7,000 purchased tickets, and more than $500,000 in funds for the Ski Archives.

Marsha also chaired the Friends of the Library Board from 2012 until the time of her death. In total, she served on the Friends Board for a total of seven years. She led the Friends Board in hosting monthly community book and author lectures, organized an annual spring banquet, and assisted with the Book Collector’s Evening, an event benefitting the Rare Books Department.

When asked once about her dedication to the library Marsha replied, “Reading is my first love. I’ve been an avid reader since I first learned to read as a child. And I also have many great friends who are involved in the library in some way, so the work is always fun.”