Marilyn Virginia Oetjen

Born March 18, 1937, to Maceo Ricard, Sr. and Albanie St. Amant Ricard in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, Marilyn was the 5th of 8 children: Maceo Ricard, Jr. (deceased), Joseph Ricard (deceased), Silvia Honore (deceased), Delores Chutz (deceased), Most Reverend Bishop John H. Ricard S. S. J. (today’s officiant), Shirley Little (Clyde), and Anthony Ricard (deceased) (Nancy).

Marilyn was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier High School where she was valedictorian.

In 1957 Marilyn met and married Isaiah Lawrence Wells (deceased) and from that union they had 8 children: Julie Rose Golden (Robert – deceased), Jeffrey Kyle (deceased), Terrilyn Anne, Joel Anthony (deceased), Gregory Brent, Sharon Anita, Bridgette Annette and Stephanie Beth. In the summer of 1963, they moved to Brooklyn, New York with their first 5 children, having the last 3 children in New York and New Jersey; and finally settling on Melrose Avenue in East Orange, New Jersey in 1969.

Marilyn lovingly raised her children and was a mother figure to many of her nephews and nieces and her children’s friends. There were many wonderful conversations, delicious meals, card games and political debates with Uncle Anthony, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Bugsy (Maceo) and Aunt Blondie at Moggie’s kitchen table. Moggie also offered many hours of good advice to so many friends at that table. Many warm summer nights were enjoyed on the porch of her big, beautiful home she so proudly owned in East Orange. Moggie was a wonderful grandmother; she would often take her grandchildren to the different parks, churches and museums throughout Essex County and to the Jersey shore. She loved telling her grandchildren scary ghost stories, especially during summer thunderstorms when it was a must to turn off all electricity and light candles. Moggie loved the ocean; she could stay all day and not leave until sunset. As her children were a little older, Marilyn would travel to Baton Rouge every year and stay for a month during the fall to spend time with her mom, Albanie, whom she dearly adored.

During her years in East Orange, Marilyn was a writer of fiction, including children’s stories and she attended Upsala College where she studied Psychology. She also worked as a secretary at Saint Benedict’s Prepatory School in Newark, NJ.

In 1991 Marilyn returned to the south, first in Georgia where she met and married John Oetjen (deceased) in 1994 and then to North Carolina in 2016 where she shared a home with her daughter, Bridgette, who was her primary caregiver. Marilyn was a faithful parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh where she proudly served as a member of the choir.

Marilyn is survived by 2 of her siblings, 6 of her children, 16 grandchildren: Christopher, Carl, Brian, Lynette (deceased), Quadir, Rashawn, Latreese, Gregory, Jr., Gabrielle, Danielle, Chevon, Janet, Gregory, Kiyana, Curtis, Jr., and Danielle, 26 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren including 1 brand new baby girl and a host of nieces and nephews.

We were all truly blessed by God to have had such a warm, loving and kind person in our lives who taught us how to pray, love God and to love one another. We thank you for all your warm wishes and kind words during this time. We pray for safe travels for each one of you.

Friends and loved ones are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM at Sacred Heart Church, 200 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603.

Moggie will be laid to rest in

Chenal Cemetery and Mausoleum

Lakeland, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, USA

A repass will be held at Marilyn’s daughter, Julie’s at 6316 Kit Creek Rd Morrisville, NC 27560.