Marilyn Marvel Behre died on the morning of October 24, 2018 at Stamford Hospital, at the age of 82. She was the daughter of the late Winfield Scott Marvel and Betty Jean Parham. She was married to her husband of 49 years, Charles Walter Behre, and is survived by one daughter, Carolyn.
Born in Pocatello, Idaho, Marilyn was raised in the small western town of Arco. Her father was the funeral director and owner of Marvel Memorial Chapel, and at one point, the mayor of their town. Her mother also took an active role in the family business, which her brother Bud would eventually take over; but, Marilyn had other plans. At just sixteen, she left for The University of Idaho to pursue her dream of a career as a Dietician, where she joined the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. After completion, she moved to New York City at age nineteen, to begin her Career in Dietetics at New York Hospital, Cornell Medical. Marilyn met her future husband, Chuck, a graphic artist, in Manhattan at a U of I Reunion. After the birth of their daughter, they moved to CT where Marilyn became a Dietary Instructor at The Stamford Hospital School of Nursing; Chief Clinical and Therapeutic Dietician at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport; and Dietician for the State of CT-DMR and The Ella Grasso Center in Stratford. In 1977, Marilyn received her Master’s in Nutrition from Fairfield University. She joined The Pound Ridge Golf Club, where she could often be found playing nine after her long day at work. Marilyn was a 52-year member of the American Dietetic Association; The Eastern Star; and The German American Woman’s League—whose time and company, she cherished. She would often take time out of her schedule for fun adventures with her daughter and had a deep love for animals, starting a long legacy owning Siberian Huskies. She was a master of various crafts and could be found any Sunday mornings completing the NY Times Crossword.
In 1996, Marilyn was diagnosed with MS. She quickly learned to manage her symptoms, and never let her adversity become a topic unless it was to support others. As her health took on numerous other challenges in more recent years, she became a fierce example of strength and will to live this life, appreciating every minute of blessings, however big or small.
Marilyn was predeceased by her younger brother, Clare Marvel (Bud), and survived by his wife, Bertie Lee Marvel of Pocatello, ID; and their daughters Wendy Bell (Greg) and Becky Morrison (Tim). She is also survived by her husband’s family, brother in laws: Roger Behre; Richard Boyle; and Daniel O’Brien; as well their children, five nephews and seven nieces; and most notably, her dear friend John Fitch, who selflessly assisted her day in and day out and enabled her to live her final years in the comfort of her home.
Please join us on Saturday, November 3, at 10:00 a.m. at Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, 2900 Summer St., for a special so-long service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her may be made to The University of Idaho Vandal Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 422304, Moscow, ID 83884; The Stamford Hospital Foundation, 131 Washington Blvd., Ste 102, Stamford, CT 06902; or nationalmssociety.org.
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