Marilyn Jean Easton

Marilyn Jean (Hocking) Easton, 86, of Fountain Hills and Big Fork, Mont., died July 25, 2017 in Scottsdale with loving family present.

Marilyn, or “Mick” as she was known to many, was born in Rockford, Ill. on Aug. 9, 1930, to parents Earl and Glada Hocking. She has three siblings; sister, Carol (John) Adams, lives in Rockford, Ill. and brother, Wendell Hocking and younger sister, Beverly Maddrell are deceased.

Marilyn grew up in Rockford in a music-loving family. The Hocking children often sang together and Marilyn was an accomplished pianist. She also was a strong swimmer and worked summers as a lifeguard.

She graduated from West Rockford High School in 1948. She then attended Bowling Green University in Ohio and was an Alpha Chi Omega. A strong student, she graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. Marilyn married college sweetheart John Frederick Easton the same year, and they were a loving couple for 65 years.

After graduation, they moved to Japan where Marilyn was a Navy wife for three years. They had two children there, Dan (Becky) Easton, Juneau, Alaska, and Pam (Norm) Saba, Tempe, Ariz.

Marilyn and John then moved to Michigan where they had their two youngest; Brian Easton, Los Alamos, N.M. and Susan (Jack Qutub) Easton, Alexandria, Va.

Marilyn and John subsequently relocated to Oxford, Md. and Marilyn taught music in elementary schools. After they bought Easton Point Marine in Easton, Md. Marilyn worked long hours to manage the ship’s store and the bookkeeping. After the marina was sold she volunteered for the Easton Memorial Hospital and the Talbot Historical Society.

Marilyn was a fiercely competitive bridge player and skillful Scrabble player. She was an accomplished organist with a repertoire of hundreds of songs. She loved the outdoors, hiking, camping, boating and fishing.

Marilyn had a lively sense of humor and her kind and gracious nature was evident even at the end of her life. Her love for her family and friends was apparent in everything she did. Just barely 5’ tall, Marilyn amazed everyone with her strength. She was beautiful inside and out, with gorgeous thick hair and a ready, warm smile.

Marilyn has eight grandchildren; Danny (Jenn), Matt and Rachel Saba, Joel and Zach Easton; and Brooke, Piper and Joey Qutub. Marilyn’s memory will be forever treasured by her loving family and many friends.

A private service with immediate family was held in Tempe, Arizona. To leave condolences for the family, please go to her obituary on tempemortuary.com