Washington. She was born to Nonie and Hugh Murray in San Francisco, California, and spent most of
her young life in the Los Angeles area. Marilyn graduated from LA High School in 1941 and attended
UCLA for a short time before entering the work force during the war.
Marilyn married Wyatt Wagner Dawson in 1946 and they had an adventurous marriage that lasted 67
years. During that time, they raised five children and lived in a variety of locations including Los
Angeles, CA; Milwaukee, WI; Warren, PA; Longmeadow, MA; West Bend, WI and Dallas, TX.
With every move, Marilyn managed to make each new house into a loving home for the family.
Marilyn loved to travel and was lucky to visit many continents with Wyatt and later traveled with
her dear sister, Jeane Fleming. They also kept in touch with and visited best friends in California,
including the “Poker Gang.”
Marilyn's greatest love, however, was her family, and she was known fondly as the “Mother of the
Pride.” She would never miss the chance to be with her children and grandchildren and she provided a
loving heart to care for her family wherever and whenever she was needed. Her family remembers her
laughter, optimism, strength, adventurous spirit and unconditional love. She was the catalyst and
provider of many joyous family reunions. Marilyn is survived by her children; Carolee Doty, Mary Lou
Innes, William Dawson, Hugh Dawson and Sally Pfeifer. She will be greatly missed by her 10
grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, who loved their Grannie dearly. She was also cherished by
her 4 nieces; Katie Bedford, Jan Fleming, Marilyn Goldstein and Christine Cornell. Marilyn was
preceded in death by her husband, Wyatt, her sister Jeane Fleming and brother-in-law Jim Fleming.
Wherever she lived, Marilyn was very involved in her community and volunteered at the local hospital
or served with the Newcomer's Club. She was a 75-year member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and
was very active with the North Dallas Woman's Club and the Dallas Assistance League. Marilyn loved
playing bridge and collecting antiques.
Marilyn will be interred with her husband at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery and a
celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be given to the
Assistance League of Dallas, P.O. Box 12403, Dallas, TX, 75225.
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