Marilyn Lee Mitchell Tisdale

Marilyn Lee (Mitchell) Tisdale, 45, of Houston, Texas, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, died Friday, March 9, 2012 at her home surrounded by her family. Marilyn was born November 23, 1966 to Francis and Patricia Mitchell. After graduating from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, she moved to Houston where she began a successful career in the energy sector.

Marilyn met her husband, Earl Tisdale, in Houston. They married June 21, 1998 and welcomed a son, Alex, on April 11, 1999. Marilyn cherished her son and was a devoted and loving wife. She dedicated herself to the betterment of her family’s lives through her deeds and actions and loving guidance, and to other’s lives through her donations to multiple charities. She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling, camping, snow skiing, mountain biking, and gardening. Marilyn had a very generous spirit and loved entertaining friends and family in her home.

Marilyn’s favorite flower was the orchid. Several now sit blooming in her kitchen window sill, and they are magnificent. She would describe how they needed just the right light, just enough watering, and had to be root-bound to produce a great display and not just a showing when they blossomed.

Alex was her Orchid of life.

She worried less that she was being cut short her own life and more that she wouldn’t be here to nurture her Orchid. That she would not be able to see if she had provided just the right care. That she would miss his blooming.

Marilyn valiantly fought two rounds of breast cancer over the last seven years in order to fulfill her goal of raising her son properly. She was able to produce more buds on this Orchid than most others, and some are starting to blossom. Her loving husband and her wonderful family have promised her that this orchid will bloom with the greatest display of all, because we’ve watched her work, we know what she would do, and now we can do it.

Her Orchid will bloom magnificently.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Earl; son, Alex; stepson Mark Tisdale; stepson Luke Tisdale and daughter-in-law, Rachel; stepdaughters, Kendra and Jamie Tisdale; granddaughters, Ella and Colette Tisdale; brother, Chris Mitchell; sisters, Martha Mays and Sara Mitchell; stepmother, Juli Ann Boehm; stepsisters, Kimberly Boehm, Allison Cole, and Amanda Boehm; stepbrother, Jonathan Boehm; nieces, Alexis Moles, Lindsey Cole, Riley Mays, Lauren Boehm, and Hannah Mays; nephews, Ethan Mays, Joshua Boehm, Kieth Cripps, and Ryan Cripps; uncle and aunt, Peter and Patricia Mitchell; and aunts Sue Wall and Theresa Brewer.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her father, Francis Mitchell; mother, Patricia Mitchell; and sister, Lucy Mitchell.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2012 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024, www.earthmanhunterscreek.com

Appetizers and beverages will be served in the hospitality room. ‘Come help us celebrate Marilyn’s life.'

A private service will follow for friends and family at the Tisdale residence.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to kidsneedtoread.org.