Marilyn Carol Jordan

Born in St. Augustine, Illinois, Marilyn grew up on a farm, riding bareback with her brother, on their horse, to a one-room schoolhouse. In 1955 she graduated with a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Iowa, becoming the first college graduate in her family. She married her college sweetheart, Dwight, on August 18, 1954.

Moving to southern California – Oceanside and Bellflower - in October 1956, where Dwight began his medical residency and ultimately a private practice, Marilyn quickly embraced the creative opportunities of her new location. Each endeavor expressed her love for people and community - taking lessons and learning to fly a small airplane to join Dwight, create exquisite porcelain dolls, molding ceramics, spinning wool and weaving, knitting, watercolor painting, sewing, photography, teaching children’s Sunday School, playing piano for adult Sunday School classes, singing hymns, and hosting dinner parties for friends and family. Before eating healthy was popular, Marilyn ground her own wheat for breads and hot cereal.

Marilyn loved and was interested in people. With her gentle, quiet spirit and a listening ear she made friends wherever she went. In her late forties, Marilyn joined Dwight in learning American Sign Language (ASL) so he could better communicate with patients, and they could both be involved with the deaf ministry at their local church.

After moving to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2003, Marilyn became involved as a student mentor at Stough Elementary School, Saltshaker’s Bible Study participant, and First Presbyterian Church member. Along the way she loved and was involved with people, from all walks of life. After Dwight’s passing in 2016, Marilyn moved to Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community where she was known as the “lady who always smiled” and continued as she had always lived: loving family, friends, and trusting God to see her through.

Marilyn has now joined her husband Dwight and other family members. She leaves a space in the lives of family members Valerie, Tim (daughter and son) Bill, Lucy (in-laws), and four dearly loved granddaughters, Cristen, Abigail, Amanda, and Mollie. A service of memory will be held in the auditorium at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community in Raleigh, North Carolina on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial considerations can be donated to The Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 or Raleigh Rescue Mission https://www.raleighrescue.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the Jordan family.