Marilyn Dora Willoughby

Marilyn Dora Willoughby was born on February 20, 1931 in Harlem, New York City to Theodora and Robert Turner. Marilyn attended Julia Richmond High School in New York City and studied at the City College of New York. She married Edmund Carlyle Willoughby in 1953. From this union, two children were born — Carl and Wendy. Marilyn was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was a skilled bargain hunter and a passionate shopper, which led to a career in purchasing. She began as a Purchasing Agent for the St. Albans Naval Hospital and progressed to the Director of Purchasing for Queens Hospital Center of the NYC Health & Hospital Corporation. Upon her retirement in 1990 she headed to Wellington, Florida to begin a new chapter on the Southern Coast. Ten years later, she moved from Wellington to West Palm Beach. Marilyn was an avid traveler which took her to exotic places around the world. She found joy in being the events coordinator for many of the activities she shared with friends. Marilyn forged great friendships throughout her life. When friends were going through rough patches, she cooked meals for them. She attended their children’s weddings. She proudly shared stories of being a mother and grandmother. With her friends, she regularly dined out and caught the latest movies at the local cinemas. Although she didn’t own a pet, several neighbors’ dogs stopped by her house daily for a doggie treat. She loved dancing, Jazzercise, Mahjongg, Pokeno, Bunco, Bridge and Bocce Ball, to name just a few. Marilyn loved taking cruises. Two years ago, when she was diagnosed with heart valve disease, she elected not to undergo the risky surgery. She didn’t sit around and mope. Instead, she booked a cruise. She was determined to live her life to the fullest until the end, and she did just that. She spent almost every Christmas with her family in New Jersey and New York. She enjoyed singing carols and watching her grandchildren open presents. Marilyn was an accomplished artist who enjoyed painting glassware and greeting cards, which she gave away to friends and family as gifts. The walls of her home are filled with beautiful oil paintings of still life and floral arrangements. Marilyn was a devout Catholic and proud member of the St. Rita Catholic Church parish. On most Saturday afternoons, you could find her in the front row at the 4:30 mass. Marilyn leaves a long list of family and friends to mourn and to celebrate her next chapter with God....son Carl; daughter Wendy Carter; sister Barbara Denkins; daughter-in-law Monica; son-in-law Anthony; grandchildren Austin, Ashley, Monique, Braxton and Dayne; great grandson Elijah, Florida cousin Dorothea Moran and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a robust family of friends. For each of us who was blessed to know Marilyn, we will always remember her infectious laughter, her flair for fashion, her unstoppable energy and her positive outlook on life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org

Marilyn Dora Willoughby

February 20, 1931 - August 27, 2018