Marilyn was born in the small community of Amboy, Indiana on February 15,1931, to Josephine and Wendell Lamb.
She met her future husband, Phillip R. Fordyce, when his family moved two doors down from her family home when they were teens. They married and had 58 wonderful years together. Their early years together were spent in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Oak Park, Illinois. They moved, with five young kids in tow, to Tallahassee, in 1963, when Phil accepted a position with Florida State University.
Marilyn had a deep love of family, the west (particularly Colorado), westerns, gardening and flowers, and college sports. In 1988, she and Phil realized their dream of building a cabin on beautiful land in the mountains near Gunnison, Colorado. They would spend many peaceful summers together there.
She was an excellent cook and support to Phil’s fast-paced career. She was a devoted, loving, patient, unflappable mother to her children, who survive her. They are Debbie Perry (and husband, Richard), of Tallahassee, Natalie Bache (and husband, Jerry) of Tampa, Marilyn Crowell (and husband, Perry) of Tallahassee, Kerry (and wife, Georgia) of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Tim (and wife, Jamela) of Tallahassee, Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lauren Graham (husband, Grant), of Denver, Rebecca Fordyce of Denver, Natalie Crowell of Tallahassee, Casey Crowell Boyett (husband, Josh), of Tallahassee, and great grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Sherry Ede (husband John); nephew, Rex Wiley (wife, Diane); and nieces, Melanie Lee (husband, Sangmin); Lori Jan (husband, Doug); and nephew, Brian Ede (wife, Traecy); and their families.
Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Phil; her parents, Josephine and Wendell Lamb; her newborn son, Jerry Fordyce; her sister, Joan Wiley, and husband, Harmon; and her parents-in-law, Russell and Agnes Fordyce.
The family wishes to thank Big Bend Hospice for their steadfast support in helping Marilyn have a peaceful transition. The family also thanks St. Augustine Plantation, Tallahassee, for the loving care she received there for the past year and a half.
Visitation will be held from 1pm - 2pm Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road with funeral services beginning at 2pm. Interment will follow at MeadowWood Memorial Park.
If you wish to make a donation in Marilyn’s memory, please consider Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee or Amboy Friends Church, 110 Pennsylvania St., Amboy, IN 46911.
