Marilyn grew up in Brownville, ME, where she spent wonderful summers on her grandparents, Effie and Alden Ladd’s, farm in Barnard. She moved to Topsham, ME in 1952, and later graduated from Brunswick High School in 1958. She then attended the University of Maine and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1965.
Following college, Marilyn moved to Florida and married Joseph H. Garrity. Her children, Lynne and Andrew, were born in West Palm Beach, FL. Marilyn was the first female computer programmer hired at Pratt & Whitney’s Palm Beach plant. While in Florida, Marilyn studied nursing at Palm Beach Jr. College and graduated as an R.N. in 1975.
Moving back to Maine in the 1980s she followed her nursing career at Maine Medical Center and Regional Memorial Hospital. Medical disability forced her retirement in 1994 and she enjoyed the remainder of her life on the Foreside Road in Topsham. She married Dana Cary in 1996 in a ceremony on the banks of the Muddy River surrounded by her family and friends.
Marilyn and Dana were able to acquire a few acres of her grandfather Alden’s farm in Barnard, and had great fun building their dream cabin on the property. It became Marilyn’s private get-away, and she was a magnet in reconnecting with friends and family throughout the area. While in Florida, Marilyn had written the genealogical history of the Ladd family and consequently felt connected to folks in the many branches and often shared life histories.
Marilyn was an active quilter, avid reader, nature lover, self-taught historian, bird watcher, and sag wagon driver (on bike trips with Dana riding). She volunteered at the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program for 10 years, Mid Coast Hospital, Merrymeeting Wheelers Bike Club, Merrymeeting Audubon, Chamberlain Civil War Round Table, Maine Old Cemeteries Association (founding member), Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the GAR. Marilyn was a member and attended the First Parish Church in Brunswick, ME.
She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Dana F. Cary; by her daughter and family Lynne Garrity Ryan, husband Thomas and grandson Nicholas of Melrose, MA; and son Andrew Garrity of West Palm Beach, FL. She also leaves sister Virginia Lake of Walla Walla, WA; brother Douglas McIntyre of Houston, TX; and brother Phillip McIntyre of Carthage, ME. Marilyn leaves four stepchildren with Dana: Randy Cary and family of Pendelton, SC; Leslie Cary and family of Seattle, WA; Alison Cary and family of Alfred, ME; and Gregory Cary and family of Pittsburgh, PA. Through Dana, Marilyn inherited eight step grandchildren and one step greatgrandchild.
All who met Marilyn knew right away that she was a special person. She became friends with so many people over the years, and she carried friendships from high school, college, and Florida with her to the end of her life. She will be remembered and missed for her friendship, for her caring concern, her drive for those things of interest or concern, and for her broad knowledge of her many interests.
At Marilyn’s request, services will be held graveside 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, at Rogers Cemetery, Cathance Road, Topsham, ME. A reception in her honor will follow with all friends welcome at First Parish Church, Brunswick, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, 84A Union St., Brunswick, ME 04011. Condolences and memories can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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