Marilyn Jean Kaye

Marilyn “Meme” (Cook) Kaye, age 63, passed from our lives to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Marilyn was a proud native Texan born in Jefferson on June 14, 1953 to Jeral and Joyce Davis Cook. Born to parents who were both enlisted in the US Army, she was an Army brat who lived for many years in Germany where her 3 younger brothers were born before coming home to Texas. A return trip to Germany was on her bucket list and she longed to share the experience with her nieces and nephews.

Marilyn graduated from Copperas Cove High School in May 1971 and studied Criminal Justice at the University of Texas at San Antonio. At a young age, Marilyn met and fell in love with a handsome soldier named Earl Kaye who was enlisted in the US Army like her parents. They married on January 12, 1972 but sadly, before they could have their happily ever after, Earl was in a tragic accident suffering debilitating injuries while on active duty in Germany. Marilyn cared for Earl until his death on April 7, 1982. Within two years she also lost her beloved mother to breast cancer. Marilyn was only 29 years old when she suffered these tremendous losses. Being widowed at a young age, she never remarried or had children of her own, but she doted on her nieces and nephews and was much more than an Aunt and more like an adoring Grandma and she took her spoiling very seriously.

For the rest of her life, Marilyn focused her time, attention and love on her family including many extended family members that she immediately welcomed into the fold. She made many lasting friendships throughout her 63 years that she loved like family. As the oldest sibling, she bossed and mothered her younger brothers, Joe, John, and Jim like a true mother would have and then focused all her energy on their children. She loved fiercely and was incredibly protective of those she loved. It was incredibly important to Marilyn that the people she loved always knew just how much she loved them and she showered us all with constant, continuous, unconditional love.

Although she was quite opinionated and stubborn as a mule, she was the kind of person you wanted to have in your corner. She was the first one we all called when we needed anything and she could always be counted upon to come running to help us all in any way we needed. After her family, Marilyn loved her Lord and was a Christian woman with very conservative values who loved and accepted everyone.

Born into a strong military family, Marilyn loved her country and was incredibly proud to be an American. She was a Patriot, a true Flag Waving citizen and a staunch supporter of our Troops and Veterans. Her other loves included Lucille Ball, Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne, and Zena. We hope she knows that she was our very own Warrior Princess. Above all others, she absolutely LOVED Elvis and even had a copy of his marriage certificate. Watching movies was a favorite pastime and she was a true Gamer who loved playing Diablo, World of Warcraft and Star Wars the Old Republic with her brothers and nephews.

Being patriotic and civic minded, she sought to do her part to make the world a better place by giving to those in need and by exercising her right to vote. She would gladly give her last dime to someone she believed needed it more than herself or to put a smile on the face of someone she loved. We believe that she participated in early voting before she passed away.

Marilyn will be surrounded by love in Heaven as she was surrounded by love here on Earth. She is preceded in death by her mother, Joyce Davis Cook, her father, Jeral J Cook, her husband, Earl Kaye and many other beloved family and friends who went before her. She leaves to cherish her memory many cousins and extended family, her three brothers and sisters-in-love, Joe and Kathy Cook of Canyon Lake, Texas, Jim and Tina Cook of Pflugerville, Texas, John and DeeDee Cook of Seguin, Texas, and the loves of her life, Steven, Joey, and Michael Cook of Tennessee, and her Texas babies, Christopher, Haleigh, and Devin Cook. She loved them more than life itself and spoiled them rotten; in turn they loved her like crazy and are heartbroken by her loss from their lives.

In the words of Elvis, “Love me tender, Love me long, Take me to your heart. For it's there that I belong, and we'll never be apart.” May you always know in your heart how deeply you were loved and how greatly you will be missed until we meet again, sweet Meme. Until that time, you will live on in our hearts and memories. For now, have fun rockin’ with Elvis, but don’t step on his blue suede shoes.

Family and friends are invited to join us in celebrating the life of Marilyn “Meme” on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130 at 1pm with a graveside service at 2:30 PM at Guadalupe Valley Memorial cemetery. Viewing will be on Monday, November 7, 2016 from 5-9pm.