Marilyn June Eldridge

MARILYN ELDRIDGE, age 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 with her daughters by her side. She was born and raised in Bay City, Michigan on December 23, 1933, and married the love of her life, Edward F Eldridge, Jr on May 3, 1952. He predeceased her on April 10, 2014. Marilyn and Edward moved from Munger, Michigan to Phoenix in 1973, something they had wanted to do since 1959. Marilyn graduated from Bay City Central High School, then later from Phoenix College with honors. She was active in student government while at Phoenix College and made many friends there. She retired from Jenson Tools, later known as Stanley Tools, as International Marketing Manager, a position she created to further the efficiency and sales of her company.

She is survived by her daughters Connie (Brian) Mahoney, Matthews, NC; Cindy Lake, Julie (Richard) Beane, both of Mesa, AZ; Amy Hendershot (fiancé Shawn Myers) of Mayer, AZ; 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren with 2 more coming; and her sister-in-law Ruth Keller. She is also survived by her much loved cat Marmalade. Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Maurice P Busch and Doris (Hamilton)(Busch) Mills; her in-laws Edward F & Isabel (Betz) Eldridge Sr, sisters-in-law Doris Eldridge and Nancy Chesney, and brother-in-law Fred Keller.

Marilyn was very interested in history and genealogy and was very proud of her ancestral heritage. She was a member of and served many offices and committee chairmanships in associated organizations ...National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society Daughters of the America Colonists, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Loyalist & Patriots of the American Revolution, National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor, United States Daughters of the War of 1812, National Society Sons & Daughters of he Pilgrims, National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars, National Society of Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Daughters of the British Empire, and New England Women. She was especially proud of being Arizona State President of the Colonial Dames.

She also enjoyed sewing, crochet, Fimo clay, especially making cloth and porcelain dolls and won many first place ribbons at the Arizona State Fair for her dolls and crafts. There wasn't a craft she wasn't willing to try and loved doing crafts with her daughters. She also prided herself on keeping up with the latest technology and was always happy to share her knowledge. Funeral service was held at Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 W. Beardsley Rd, Phoenix, AZ on Monday, January 18, 2016. Anyone interested in making a contribution in her name would please her greatly to contribute to Hospice of the Valley, www.hov.org for the loving care given her in her final days or the AZ Humane Society which she actively supported.