Marilyn Ann Blackstun

Marilyn Ann Blackstun, age 91, died at her youngest son’s home in Ocala, Florida on January 12, 2024. 

Marilyn was born on January 30, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri.  She graduated from Saint Elizabeth Academy in Saint Louis in June 1949.  Marilyn lived in many locations throughout her life including, St. Louis and Rolla, Missouri; Oceanside, California; New Iberia and New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Billings, Montana; Denver, Colorado; and Clearwater, Florida.  She moved to Littleton, Colorado in 1965 and stayed in the Denver area until 2017 when she moved near her youngest son in Ocala, FL.  Marilyn attended Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado (1967-1971), where she earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in June 1971.  Marilyn worked as a Medical Lab Technician for the Swedish Medical Center and became a supervisor at the Gates Rubber Company medical labs until retiring in 1995.  During her retirement she spent summers in the Denver, Colorado area and winters in Clearwater, Florida with her husband. 

Marilyn married her husband of 66 years, Clifford W Blackstun on July 26, 1952.  Marilyn and Cliff have three sons, David Edward Blackstun, born August 23, 1953 at Camp Pendleton Marine Base in Oceanside, California, Denis Mark Blackstun, born May 14, 1959 in Metairie, Louisiana, and Kenneth Michael Blackstun, born December 2, 1961 also in Metairie Louisiana. Marilyn has six grandchildren, Margaret Pearl Ballard (Blackstun), Melissa Irene Blackstun, Gregory Edward Blackstun, Zachary Dylan Blackstun, Sawyer Jordan Blackstun, and Tyler Dillon Blackstun.  Marilyn has seven great-grandchildren, Knox Clifford Blackstun, Oliver John Blackstun, Abigail Margaret Blackstun, Pearl Adele Ballard, Payton Ann Blackstun, Oakley Christine Blackstun, and Carver Arthur Blackstun.  Marilyn is the daughter of Margaret Mary Walsh and Edward Leo Marsh.

In a private family ceremony, Marilyn will be interred with her husband, Clifford, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Avenue, Denver CO 80236.

Marilyn was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.  Her steady commitment to her family and strength of her personal character instilled a strong sense of values into her children and grandchildren. She was respected in her career for her hard work and dependability.

The Blackstun sons were blessed to know Marilyn and have her as the loving matriarch of our family.  She loved the life of a mother and is forever committed to her family.

Marilyn loved the outdoors as an avid skier, camper, hunter, fisherwoman and all-around adventurous person.  From the time the boys were small, Marilyn shared her love of the outdoors and outdoor adventures with her husband and her family.  Together they shared many happy experiences while the boys were growing up when Marilyn and Cliff took the family skiing, camping, hunting & fishing in Colorado & throughout the West.  And this love of the outdoors and outdoor adventure has also been shared with Marilyn’s grandchildren.   After all the boys had left home and Marilyn and Cliff retired, they had many happy years of travel together.  Some of their favorite trips were to follow their youngest sons riding career as a thoroughbred jockey.  Their interest in horse racing grew as the career of their son advanced.  They traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, Los Angeles, California, New York City, New York, Hot Springs, Arkansas and to the United Arab Emirate where their son was invited to ride.  Marilyn and Cliff shared many happy years of retirement together.

Marilyn would do almost anything to help someone in need.  We will miss her and we will never forget her and the many wonderful ways throughout her life she demonstrated her kind heart, love, and support for her family.  We are all proud of the way she lived!  We love you Marilyn, (Mom)!  Rest in peace!