Obituary
Marilyn Merle Ekrem,86, of St. James City, FL passed away on January 23rd, 2023 with her brother Verne by her side. She was born on December 11, 1936 in Claremont, NH to Arthur and Leona (Martel) Adams.
The family lived in the Weathersfield, VT area where she attended elementary school in Perkinsville. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Claremont, NH and in 1955 she went into the United States Navy.
Marilyn did administrative work most of her life, with a short stint at the radio station in Claremont. She also got her license in hair dressing and owned a cleaning business.
After leaving the Navy, Marilyn married Louis Waddell. They moved to California and had three children together.
Marilyn moved to Maine in the early 70’s where she worked for several years in the insurance department at Goodall Hospital in Sanford. She devoted herself to picking up the neighborhood kids in her station wagon every week and bringing them to the Nazarene Church for Sunday school.
Marilyn hosted annual family reunions for many years at her home in Limerick. She was a formidable opponent in volleyball and enjoyed running in local races. She won first place in her age group in the Buxton 5 K.
She also enjoyed sewing, ceramics and gardening. She kept the family in touch by sharing her Christmas list of everyone’s addresses and phone numbers.
After she retired, she traveled throughout the United States and Europe with her husband, Peter. They both shared the love of family and friends and hosted many gatherings at their homes in Washington and Arizona. While living in Arizona, they were both instrumental in coordinating the annual “Spring Fling” talent show.
Marilyn was active wherever she lived and taught line dancing and her love of golf.
Marilyn suffered a stroke in 2011. She spent her remaining years in the home of her devoted sister, Shirley, who, along with other family members provided care. Everybody enjoyed Marilyn’s sense of humor and her amazing wit. Our family would especially like to thank all the caregivers who helped enhance her life after her stroke.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, husbands Louis Waddell and Peter Ekrem, sons Tim and Matthew Waddell. Siblings: Beverly Conti, Bill Adams, and Charley Adams. Marilyn is survived by her son, David Waddell, granddaughters, Elizabeth Boutin, her husband Dan and their children Brynlee and Brighton, Stephanie Waddell and grandson Joshua Descamp. Siblings: Carl and (Rita) Adams, Shirley and (Loren) Jean, Ginny and (Jerry) Perantoni and Verne Adams
A celebration of life for Marilyn will be on Sunday, June 25th, 2023 at the Curtis Lake Church in Sanford, ME. Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St Jude’s Hospital @ www.stjude.org.
I will miss her greatly and be forever indebted to Shirley and Loren as well as Verne and others for taking such loving care of her for the last years of her life. Love, Donna Hurd