Marilyn Kay Darbyshire, age 76, of Washington, Iowa died Monday, November 16, 2009 at the Halcyon House in Washington following a lengthy illness.
Celebration of life services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, November 20, at the Jones Eden Funeral Home with Pastor Colton Clay officiating. Visitation will begin noon Thursday at the Jones Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 Thursday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for Iowa City Hospice or the First Christian Church. Online condolences may be sent for Marilyn’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com.
Marilyn was born June 16, 1933 in Washington, Iowa the daughter of Randoph Clark and Freda Mae (Dunbar) Kelsey. She attended school in Washington and graduated from Washington High School in 1951. On May 27, 1951, Marilyn was united in marriage to Lyle Darbyshire in Washington, Iowa.
Marilyn lived most of her life in Washington, Iowa having lived for a short time in California. She worked as a secretary at Lincoln Elementary, did tax preparation work for John Mattes and was the District Manager for Franklin Life Insurance and Savings. Marilyn later managed the Washington West Motel for 12 years and worked as a hostess and secretary for many years at the Eden Funeral Home.
She was a member of the First Christian Church in Washington, was a volunteer for Washington County Hospice, a Grey Lady Volunteer at the Veterans Administration in Iowa City, and was a voter registration volunteer at polling booths for many years. She enjoyed ceramics, playing cards, bowling and spending time with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband Lyle Darbyshire of Washington, IA; daughter Lorilee Glanzman and husband Jerry of Mt. Pleasant, IA; son Terry Darbyshire of Iowa City, IA; grandson Tracy Darbyshire and wife Lindsay of Des Moines, IA; and great grandson Jayden Darbyshire of Des Moines, IA. Marilyn is also survived by three step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren.