Obituary
PORT ORANGE, FLORIDA – Marilyn Jean Thibodeau (Russell), 86, passed away peacefully March 24, 2024, at home surrounded by her family.
Born December 26, 1937, in Skowhegan, Maine to John Willis Russell and Ada Jeanette Russell.
Marilyn graduated from Madison High School in 1956 where she was Captain of the Majorette Troupe and member of the National Honor Society. She went on to earn her certification in 1958 as an X-Ray Technologist from Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Maine.
On December 7, 1957, she married her long-time love Charles Arthur Thibodeau Jr., spending 72 years together.
Marilyn was a devoted military wife throughout her husband’s full Army career, requiring dozens of relocations to stations throughout the world, as well as being a single parent for 3 years while her husband served two tours in the Vietnam War.
She managed several fund-raising projects and events serving the military community at Post Thrift Shops, Gourmet Cooking Clubs, and Officer’s Wives Clubs.
As a Red Cross volunteer, Marilyn was awarded special recognition for her service after logging over 20,000 hours for the organization.
Upon retirement, she was an award-winning Membership Chairperson for the VFW Auxiliary, Post 3282, Port Orange, Florida. Marilyn enjoyed travel, golf, needlepoint, knitting, and crossword puzzles. Her greatest joy was being with family and friends where she was always “The Life of the Party”!
She was a loving and devoted mother to Lynne (William), Mark (Jamie) and John.
Grandmother to Kathryn Henwood (Lexie), Elizabeth Spina (Danton), Lauren Waitkus (Robert), Katharine Thibodeau, Jack Thibodeau, Mason Thibodeau, and Charlie Thibodeau. Great-grandmother to Leander, Eleanor, and Henley, whom she loved and adored. Later additions to her family include 5 step grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren.
Marilyn was immensely proud of her family, and leaves behind many beautiful memories and a strong legacy.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and brother Richard John Russell.
A Roman Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 8:30 A.M. on April 23, 2024 at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 4675 Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange, Florida, 32128.
Interment will be private, at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Marilyn to Halifax Health Hospice:
Checks can be mailed to Halifax Health Hospice, 3000 Wood Briar Trail, Port Orange, Florida, 32128
Deb and Rick Schulenburg
With love, Maureen and John
Love you,
Charlie
Love, John
Your granddaughter,
Lauren Henwood Waitkus
-