Marilyn Arbuckle

Marilyn Jane (Stulz) Arbuckle, 93 of Palm Bay, Florida passed away peacefully on August 23 with her daughter Marianne by her side. She was born July 18, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY where she met and married her childhood sweetheart, Andrew Arbuckle in 1943. Married in 1950, she and Andy spent the next 66 years together before his death in 2016. After 16 years of homemaking, she re-entered the workforce as a secretary at Digital Electronics Corporation (DEC), a lead player in the blossoming computer industry. She quickly climbed the corporate ladder to become the Senior Executive Secretary for the owner and president, a position she took great pleasure and honor in and held for 17 years. In 1989, she retired with her husband and moved to Brevard County, Florida. An artist at heart, Marilyn’s passion was painting, working mainly in oils. However, when she retired, she delved into watercolors and joined several local art galleries. Her talent was recognized by being inducted into 5 different watercolor societies throughout Florida and Georgia, becoming a signature member in each. Over the years, her paintings won numerous awards and her artwork has been exhibited in the Melbourne International Airport, Holmes Regional Medical Center, the Henegar Cultural Center, the Brevard Museum, and Brevard County Courthouse. She was a volunteer contributing to the new construction of the Brevard Zoo, designing and creating the early signage used for each animal. Marilyn is survived by her daughter Marianne and son Ken of Florida, her son Don of Arizona and daughter Diana of Maryland as well as several grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One of her greatest pleasures was reading to her children and grandchildren, especially the works of A. A. Milne. We offer this poem based on his literary piece "Disobedience” as a tribute to our mother:

Mom Mom

Marilyn Marilyn

Arbuckle Artist ‘n Wife

Took great

Care of four Children

All 93 years of her life.

Mom Mom

Said to her Children

“Children,” she said, said she;

“You now must go down to the end of town, by yourself and not with me.”

Mom Mom

Arbuckle’s Mother

Put on a golden gown,

Mom Mom

Arbuckle’s Mother

Went to the end of town.

Mom Mom

Arbuckle’s Mother

Said to herself, said she:

“I can get right down to the end of town but I won’t be back for tea.”

Four Kids

Put up this notice,

“LOST or STOLEN or STRAYED!

MOM MOM

ARBUCKLE’S MOTHER

SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MISLAID.

LAST SEEN

WANDERING VAGUELY

QUITE OF HER OWN ACCORD,

SHE FINALLY GOT TO THE END OF TOWN A VISIT WITH DAD THE REWARD.

M. J.

Arbuckle Arbuckle

(Commonly known as Mom)

Told her other relations

She now has a brand new home.

Mom Mom

Said to her Children

“Children,” she said, said she;

I’ll see you again at the end of town with your Dad and Em and me.

M. J.

Arbuckle Arbuckle

Hasn’t been heard from yet.

Four kids

Said they were sorry.

So did the ones they met.

Four kids

(Somebody told us)

Said to someone they knew.

“When people go down to the end of town, well, what can anyone do?”

(Now then, very softly)

M.J. M.M. A.A.W.

Took great C/0 her C*******

All 93 years of her life.

Mom Mom

Said to her C*******

“C*******,” she said, said she;

"You-must-never-go-down-to-the-end-of-the-town if-you-don't-go-down-with-ME!"