Marilyn Gump Stewart

Marilyn was born February 8, 1942 in Dallas, Texas to Richard and Billie Gump. She was a lifelong Dallas resident and a proud graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Class of ‘59. Marilyn earned her B.A. from The University of Texas in 1964, her Masters from The University of Texas in 1972 and her PhD from the University of Dallas in 1980.

Marilyn began her teaching career at Sunset High School soon after receiving her undergraduate degree. After taking a break when her daughter Mary Leslie was born in 1967, she returned to teaching English at Southern Methodist University. She found her teaching home in 1986 when she took a position as an English teacher at Greenhill School where she spent the remainder of her career. One of her great joys was serving as the advisor for the school newspaper, the Evergreen. Marilyn led countless groups of students to New York City during numerous Spring Breaks to attend a journalism conference at Columbia University. She loved taking her students to meals at famous NYC restaurants, museums, Broadway shows and of course, shopping. After retiring in 2010, her Greenhill students and fellow teachers remained her second family.

During her summers off, Marilyn stayed busy teaching at the Teacher’s Academy at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture and the Summer Colloquia at the Athena Foundation. She loved educating other teachers and sharing her love of literature. After retirement, she also gave presentations to the Shakespeare Club of Dallas as well as teaching Christian education classes at St. Rita Catholic Church where she also served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years.

Marilyn loved travel and was able to see a lot of the world, including her favorite trips to China and to Greece. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, Marilyn became active in the Dallas Area Parkinson Society (DAPS), serving on their Board and participating in special exercise and dance classes. These classes were very important to her as were the friends that she made through them.

Marilyn’s greatest joy in life was her granddaughter Allie Calcote. Nana passed along her love of live theater, museums of all kinds, movies, games, and of course, shopping to Allie.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Billie Gump. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Leslie Calcote and son-in-law, Alan Calcote, her granddaughter Allie Calcote, her brother Rick Gump and sister-in-law Diana Gump, her nephew Travis Gump and his wife Cyndi and daughter Haleigh, her niece Jenny Gump, her cousins Gina Eben, Bobby Moore, Linda Gump, Robert Gump, Richard Gump, Bill Gump, Mary Gump, and Allen Gump; and many dear friends. Marilyn is also survived by her loving caregivers Estell Brewster, Genet Tesfaye, and James Vietta whose incredible patience and kind hearts were a great comfort to Marilyn during her final years. The family would also like to thank the staff and caregivers at The Tradition Prestonwood for their kind care of “the professor” the last few years.

After a private family burial, a service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dallas Area Parkinson Society, Greenhill School, or Catholic Charities of Dallas.