Obituary: Marilyn M. (Mahaffey) King - Class of 1950

VERONA/ MADISON - Marilyn M. King, age 77, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 1, 2010, at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg after vigilantly battling lymphoma cancer for 16 years. Marilyn was born in Madison on Dec. 14, 1932, the daughter of Florence (Yates) and Chauncey E. Mahaffey, who preceded her in death. Marilyn graduated from Madison Central High School in 1950, and married Robert D. "Bob" King on Aug. 25, 1956. Bob and Marilyn were married for 39 years, until his passing on Sept. 13, 1995. During their lives together, Bob and Marilyn raised three children, Judy (Ted) Nowak of Madison, Laurie (Wayne) Mueller of Stoughton, and David King of Montello. In addition to her children, Marilyn leaves four grandchildren, Daniel and Matthew Nowak, and Kelsey and Robert Mueller. Marilyn worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District for 23 years as an educational assistant, the majority of her time spent at West High School. Many of her colleagues remained treasured friends after her retirement in 1997. Marilyn loved to sew, knit, cross stitch and crochet, and her handiwork was admired and treasured by those lucky enough to receive an item "Made by Marilyn." After moving to Verona in 2004, she spent many hours at the Sow's Ear knitting, crocheting and chatting with her friends. She leaves many cherished friends at the Meridian Condominiums in Verona and Olympic Village Condominiums in Sun Prairie, as well as friends from the "old" Madison West Side neighborhood, who will miss her caring nature, sass and sense of humor. In keeping with Marilyn's wishes, a private burial will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens. A get together to celebrate her life is being planned, to take place at a later date. Marilyn and her family would like to thank HospiceCare and Brightstar, with special thanks to Brightstar CNA Saoirse, for the excellent care she received, allowing her to stay at home until her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marilyn's name can be made to HospiceCare Inc. or the American Cancer Society. "Grammy, we love you and will miss you." Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 3, 2010