Marilyn White

Marilyn M. White (nee Beatty), 89, beloved wife of childhood sweetheart, Clinton E. White and mother of Jayne E. and Charles White, died May 16, 2016 at Gray's Nursing Home, Platteville. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Pastor Zayna Thompson will officiate. Burial was held at the Richland Center Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Marilyn was born on March 8, 1927, in Richland Center, Wisconsin, eldest daughter of Jesse Theron Beatty and Grace (Gillingham) Beatty. She was a graduate of Richland Center High School. She married "Clint" on October 13, 1946 at Trinity Methodist Church.

Marilyn moved with her family to Platteville in 1958 and immediately became involved in church and social activities. She enjoyed sewing and quilting; happiest when she was with her sewing groups with her needle in hand. She was a member of the Embroiders Guild of America, serving on 3 Chapters. She also would share her skills at Southwest Tech; always looking forward to classes where she could learn a new skill as well. Marilyn was also a member of The Stone Cottage Quilters, as well as, other related quilting groups, the Red Hatter's, and two doll clubs. She collected dolls and exchanged them with pen pals from all over the world. Later she had a small doll museum in a room of her home and would show them to small groups.

Marilyn loved to entertain family and friends; she also enjoyed traveling, in her earlier adult years, especially to Switzerland. Following Clint's retirement they spent many summers camping and traveling. She and Clint were married almost 51 years. She was a long time member of Platteville Congregational Church U.C.C.; where she sang in the choir for many years. One of her many passions was playing the piano.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Jayne of Minneapolis; and nieces and nephews, Stephanie (John) McDonald, Debra (Dennis) LaVenture, Laurie (Thom) Geyer, Kent (Jan) Schmitz, and Bruce (Marsha) Hall.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Charles “Charlie”; two sisters, Ruth Ann (Jim) Holl and Sandra S. (Eugene) Schmitz; and nephew, Steven Holl. She loved her sisters very much and would not leave this world before them.

Words of gratitude cannot be expressed enough to niece, Laurie, and husband Tom for their countless hours of care, love and compassion to make Aunt Marilyn's last years, months, and days comfortable and meaningful.