Marilyn Joyce Watkins

Marilyn Joyce (Guild) Watkins passed away on September 2nd at the age of 76 in ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital with her husband, son, and daughter at her bedside. Born in Topeka, Kansas in October of 1948, she was preceded in death by her parents Charles Guild and Glenys (Erichsen) Guild, her brother Edward (“E.J.”) Guild, and grandson Ian Watkins.

Marilyn leaves behind her husband of 56 years, Laurence (“Larry”) Watkins, daughter Erika Watkins-Walker (Damond) and son Aaron Watkins (Jennifer), as well as her younger sister, Lois Guild, and the treasures of her life, her grandchildren Mina, Morgan, and Olivia Walker of Elkton and Gillian and Janelle Watkins of Wilmington. She is also survived by her maternal aunt Evelyn (Erichsen) Finnegan of Goodland, Kansas, her many beloved cousins, and her dog Charlee.

Marilyn grudgingly moved to Delaware from Kansas in 1969 when her husband accepted a job with the DuPont Company. They lived in various locations in the Wilmington area and nearby Maryland, most recently residing in Newark, Delaware. She attended Cecil College in North East, Maryland, graduating with two associate degrees in 1993. Over the years, she worked as a bookkeeper, nursery school aide, and grade school computer room attendant. She was an avid crafter and loved rock and roll, always quick to share that her first concert was a live performance by the Beatles during their second U.S. tour.

Marilyn’s greatest source of pride was her family. She loved her children and grandchildren immensely and was happiest when spending time with her five “little ladies”. She will be missed by everyone whose life she touched, and her family and friends will never be able to replace her vibrant presence in our lives.