Marilyn M. Damon died Sept. 8, 2014, after fighting a courageous battle to recover from a devastating stroke she had suffered 2 weeks earlier. She was 76.
Marilyn was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard and graduated from Oak Bluffs High School. Marilyn married Donald Barry and raised three children. She left the Island in 1977 to pursue her dream of living in Florida, where she lived until her death. She worked in the Broward County school system for many years as an accountant, and retired in 2004. She was the chairman of the Broward County Conservation Commission and the shop steward of her local union.
She returned to the Vineyard annually to visit her family and enjoy one of her greatest pleasures, fishing off Wasque Point for bass and bluefish. She enjoyed her retirement in Florida, spending time with friends, visiting flea markets, traveling the inland waterways in her pontoon boat, and just relaxing in the home she had purchased.
Her good friend Idena Miller supported and comforted her to the very end.
She is survived by son Donald Barry of Mashpee; son Ronald Barry and his partner Alison House of East Falmouth; daughter Laurie Medeiros and her husband Paul of Vineyard Haven; grandchildren Matthew and Katelin Medeiros, and Michael, Ricky, Heather, and Jimmy Barry; siblings Frances Derrick of Hyannis and Shawn Willoughby of Vineyard Haven; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Kendall and Frances Willoughby, and her first husband, Donald Barry. Her brother Kendall Willoughby unexpectedly died on Sept. 14, 2014.
Marilyn will be cremated and her ashes will be returned to her birthplace and spread over the south shore, where she will be at peace. Services will be private, and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Please send condolences or cards to Ronald Barry at 123 Goeletta Drive,
East Falmouth, MA, 02536. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in her name.