Marilyn Susan Burns

Marilyn Susan Burns (née Merzel) peacefully passed away in Lewes, Delaware, with her husband, Stan, by her side after a two-year battle with cancer - one she approached with a steadfast commitment to living fully in each remaining day.

Born in Washington, D.C., on December 27, 1944, to Paul Merzel and Anne Raine Merzel, Marilyn grew up surrounded by the love of her close-knit family, including her sister, Arleen, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Marilyn was a loyal wife, mother, sister, and friend. She met her best friend, Carole, in 10th grade, beginning a friendship that brought her joy for decades and continued until her final days.

Although their parents moved in the same circles, Marilyn officially met Stan at a family gathering when she was a junior in college. Stan was smitten. Marilyn was skeptical. He won her over and after graduating with a BA in Education, Marilyn married Stan in August 1966, beginning a partnership that flourished for more than 59 years.

Their early years took them to Philadelphia, where Marilyn taught elementary school and formed a lifelong friendship with Suzi Troll. Returning to Maryland, Marilyn and Stan welcomed their two children, Beth and Paul, and settled into their home on Cherry Valley Drive, where they would raise their family.

Marilyn was a devoted mother—fiercely protective, endlessly supportive, and always the first car in line at Hebrew School pickup. She worried the neighbors might think her children weren’t being fed enough and, determined to change that perception, allowed sugar cereal each morning followed by Twinkies in hopes of helping them put on weight. Cousins Johnny and David were always envious of breakfast in the Burns household.

When her children thrived, she did too. She encouraged Beth and Paul to pursue their individual passions—Paul choosing South Carolina and Beth moving to New York City. It was there they met their partners, Eddie and Kelly, whom Marilyn quickly and fully embraced as her own. She also adored the friends Beth and Paul brought into her life—from high school through adulthood — each of whom cherished Marilyn in return.

One of Marilyn’s greatest joys was being “Bubby” to Jonathan, Alex, Tristan, and Sydney. She cheered at every hockey game, talent show, performance, and tennis match; spoiled them with treats; celebrated each of their 13th birthdays with special one-on-one trips; and beamed with pride at Tristan and Sydney’s B’nai Mitzvah.

Marilyn loved deeply, laughed easily and lived fully. She loved days boating on the Potomac; annual trips with Arleen to New York City to see Broadway shows, any chance to see Barbra Streisand, tennis matches with Stan, and vacations to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Duck, Martha’s Vineyard, Sedona, and Las Vegas. Together, she and Stan built a business that brought them lifelong friends and a life rich with love, support, and joy — even if Marilyn’s passion for travel sometimes collided with Stan’s apprehension about flying.

For 10 years, Marilyn worked as a Certification Manager at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She enjoyed her work, but embraced retirement even more, often joking that she was the busiest retired person anyone knew.

In 2021, Marilyn and Stan moved to Lewes, Delaware, where she was overjoyed to live near the beach. Even more joy came from the wonderful community she found in Belle Terre. Pickleball, line dancing, mahjong, movie club, dinners at new restaurants, designer bag bingo, book club, and beach days filled her calendar. She would often look out at the water and exclaim, “Isn’t this the best place ever?!?”

Despite cancer’s attempts to slow her down, Marilyn never stopped seeking connection, fun, and purpose. She didn’t want simply to be — she wanted to do.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Stanley Joel; her daughter, Beth Meyer; her son, Paul Burns; her son-in-law, Edward Meyer; her daughter-in-law, Kelly Burns; and her loving grandchildren, Jonathan Andrew, Tristan Alexander, Alexander Joseph, and Sydney Raine. She is predeceased by her parents, Paul and Anne Raine Merzel, and her sister, Arleen Linehan.

The funeral will be held Monday, December 15th at 10 a.m. at Judean Memorial Gardens, 16225 Batchellors Forest Rd, Olney, MD 20832. Shiva will be observed at the home of Beth and Edward Meyer on Tuesday, December 16th at 7pm.

Following the funeral service, a committal service will take place at the same location from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to a charity of your choice.