Marilyn Jean (Hocking) Easton, 86

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

Marilyn was born in Rockford, Illinois, on Aug. 9, 1930, to parents Earl and Glada Hocking. She has three siblings, sister, Carol (John) Adams lives in Rockford, Illinois, 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 and attended Bowling Green University in Ohio. 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 of Juneau, Alaska, and Pam (Norm) Saba of Tempe, Arizona.

Marilyn and John then moved to Michigan, where they had their two youngest, Brian Easton of Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Susan (Jack Qutub) Easton of Alexandria, Virginia. Marilyn and John relocated to Oxford, Maryland, and Marilyn taught music in elementary schools. After they bought Easton Point Marine in Easton, Maryland, Marilyn managed 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. Her love for her family was apparent in everything she did. Just barely 5 feet 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 www.tempemortuary.com.