Marilyn W Morrison

Marilyn was born in Oklahoma City, December 27, 1929, first daughter and second child of Clarence Edward Duffner Sr, and Mildred Boedecker Duffner. Her maiden name was Marilyn Wright Duffner. She attended Classen High School and Sullins Academy, a girls preparatory school in Virginia. She matriculated at Fairfax Hall Jr. College, also in Virginia, and then returned to Oklahoma City where she graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in fine arts in 1952. Her first job was geophysical draftsman at Carter Oil Company where she subsequently was promoted to the head of that department.

On September 19, 1953, Marilyn married Curtis William Cain. Together they formed Cain Chris Craft Sales, a motorboat company that served central Oklahoma for several decades, and Cain Enterprises, a real estate holding company. Curtis passed away on May 4, 1997 after a long illness. Marilyn spent many years researching her family genealogy and published her work as “The Duffner, Wright, and Boedecker families in America.” A copy of the three volume set has been donated to the Oklahoma Historical Society. In addition, she had a livelong passion for animals, especially dogs and horses. She raised, trained and showed several generations of Cocker Spaniels.

On September 12, 1998, she married Kennon Morrison, a widower and former neighbor and long time friend of Marilyn and Curtis. They enjoyed over a decade of retirement together, including a trip to Europe where she made connections with Duffner family members in Germany, with whom she had corresponded during her research. Marilyn lived in and around Oklahoma City her entire life. After hospitalization and rehabilitation for a stroke in March of 2010, she resided comfortably during her last years at “The Heaven House”. Marilyn and her family would like to especially thank Dianne Simms Timmerman and the staff there for exceptional care and personal attention. She received excellent long term and hospice care at Belleview Nursing Center, and passed away there in her sleep on March 30, 2012. Special thanks are due also to her long time friend Jere Mateel Cornman who cared for her like a sister.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved brother and best friend, C.E. “Jack” Duffner Jr, and by her loving husband, Ken. Marilyn is survived by her two nephews and two nieces: David W. Duffner, M.D. of Palm Springs CA, Dianne Del Cid of Arlington TX, Claire Anderson of Oklahoma City and Scottsdale AZ, and Christian Edward Duffner of Oklahoma City. A Catholic Memorial Service will be conducted at Hahn-Cook Funeral Home at 11 AM on Friday April 6, 2012, to be followed by interment at Rose Hill Burial Park. The family requests that memorials on behalf of Marilyn be sent to Christ the King Church.