Marilyn (Lumb) Gildersleeve ’57, 80, passed away peacefully on February 29, 2016 at home in Framingham MA. Raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she studied speech and theatre from the age of 6 and she majored in drama and speech for a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University in 1957, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She had major leadership roles and a membership in many honorary groups on campus. She got her Master’s Degree in radio and television at Indiana University.
Over the years Marilyn performed one-woman shows, taught speech privately and performed in numerous plays. Her working career has been in many different fields: radio, television, newspaper reporting, school administrative work and other varied business operations. Some years ago, she retired from Fay School where she worked in Development and the Dean of Students. For many years she worked as an ESL volunteer instructor. As a hobby, Marilyn clowned for fairs, schools, parades, and other events.
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I certainly remember Marilyn well. After all, she was my “neighbor”as I lived across the street from her at the Sigma Chi house.
She was so “fun loving” and a delight wherever she would be. Her gifts and talents were already obvious as a drama major at IWU. I don’t remember that our paths ever crossed after I left IWU in 1956, which was unfortunate but happens too often.
My sympathy to her loved ones.
I remember Marilyn both at Wesleyan, and afterward at several Kappa Delta get togethers that I attended many years ago.
She was always interesting, energetic and involved in work, volunteer work, and other activities. Marilyn was above all, an independent and strong woman.
These e-mail messages and comments about Wesleyan Alums from the mid to late 50s are very interesting and welcomed. This is a great service. Thank you.