Marilyn Lee Camden

Marilyn grew up in Phoenix and graduated from Paradise Valley High School with the class of 1969. After high school, she moved to the Chicago area, where she worked for GMAC until 1976. In July 1976, she married her husband, David Camden.

After marrying, she went on to work for J.C. Penney and Toyota Financial Services. In 1982, she welcomed her son, Christopher, into the family and became a devoted mother.

David's career took the family to several parts of the country, and she always took the time to reestablish their home and enjoy the different cultures and history of each area. As grandchildren entered the scene, she embraced her role as a loving grandmother.

Marilyn was in the prime of her life, enjoying travel and spending time with her family. Her passions included crafting and decorating, and she never missed a "Wear it Wednesday" with the Blingers. She embraced every holiday with enthusiasm, transforming her home throughout the year, but decorating for Christmas was her pride and joy, and her plans for each year began well before the current trees were taken down. She created a winter wonderland in the home each year, with as many as eight themed trees, while the aromas of her delicious Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas meals filled every corner of the house, creating memories that lingered long after the holidays ended.

Marilyn was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who touched the hearts of everyone she knew and met with her warm style and amazing smile. She will be greatly missed by all.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, David; her son, Christopher (Carelys); her brothers, Larry Childress and Jim (Susan) Childress; her sister, Cheryl (Tom) Tompkins; and her grandchildren, Blayne Camden, Alyssa Camden, and Isabella Camden. She was preceded in death by her brother, Steven Childress.

A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held on Saturday, September 6 at 11 a.m. at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, 200 W. Beardsley Road, Phoenix, AZ 85027.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cradle Adoption Agency at www.cradle.org.