Marilyn Dwelley, 80, died on June 12, 2024, following a long illness. She was born on February 14, 1944 in Calais, Maine, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth (Bette) and Earl Gaddis. She grew up in Baileyville and graduated as valedictorian from Woodland High School in 1962. She then attended Westbrook College and graduated in 1964.
Marilyn devoted her career to helping children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She spent decades with the Head Start program in Washington and Hancock counties before moving to the Wings organization. As a result, there are people throughout the state - the oldest of whom are now in their 50s - who may not remember or even know of Marilyn, but whose lives were changed for the better by the work she did.
She was a lover of lavish seasonal decorations; her nightly 8 o’clock Lifetime movies; Diet Coke; and the music of Willie Nelson and Adele, as well as Dolly Parton (who she was thrilled to see in concert in 2016) and Elvis Presley (who she would’ve seen in concert in 1977, had he not died the day before). She loved to play cards and other games, and despite her sweet nature, she was quite competitive and early on helped her grandchildren learn how to lose to her with grace.
Though her life was often marked by challenges both unique and universal, she faced each with a relentless determination to keep going. She’d be the first to tell you that her persistence wasn’t always graceful, but her ability to get back up was often nothing short of remarkable. There is no doubt that all of us will remember her as one of the strongest women to have blessed our lives.
Marilyn was as kind and loving as she was strong and resilient. She could always be counted on to send a card for a birthday, graduation, or just about any major (or even minor) holiday. She was one of those people you could always count on during a low moment - whether the end of a bad relationship or just a bad day. At all times she was there with an empathetic ear and loving hug.
There is perhaps no role that she relished more than being a grandmother. Affectionately known to her three grandkids as Nannie, she was an inexhaustible source of support and encouragement. Over the years, she spontaneously became an avid fan of baseball, hockey, swimming, scrappy middle school rock bands, and just about anything else her grandkids were into. She was a fixture at sporting and musical events, known simply as “Nannie” to so many, and an enthusiastic supporter to all.
Marilyn is survived by a loving community of family and friends, each of whom surely believe they had a special bond with her, and they are all correct.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Earl (Sonny) and James (Jimmy) Gaddis. She is survived by her two daughters, Mila Tappan and husband Robert, and Becky Anderson and husband Liam; three grandchildren, Alex Tappan, Noah Tappan, and Ellie Anderson; her sister, Karen Sprague and husband Kenny; her nieces Kellie Sprague and husband Steve, Kriste Sprague and her husband Jeff; and Lysa D’Innocenzo; and her nephews Trent Patterson, Britton Bestafka, and Jonathan Gaddis. She is also survived by her former brother-in-law Bill Dwelley and sister-in-law Wanda Murphy who were still family to her even after divorce; her former partner and dear friend David Cox; her close friends, Barb Sproul, Margie Alberts, Ellie Nevers, Margaret Coleman, and Ruth Anne Spence and her very kind caregiver, Diane MacNamara.
We love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, and we’ll see you on the other side.
The family would like to thank the wonderful medical professionals who’ve taken such good care of Marilyn over the years, especially Dr. David Martin who held a very special place in her heart.
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held on Sunday, July 21 at the Bangor Arts Exchange from 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Those who wish to remember Marilyn in a special way may do so by making a donation to Downeast Community Partners (https://www.downeastcommunitypartners.org/donate-volunteer/donate-online.php), an organization that works to support many of the causes that were most important to Marilyn including Head Start, quality childcare, and assistance for seniors that allows them to age in place.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marilyn Dwelley, please visit our flower store.
Marilyn devoted her career to helping children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She spent decades with the Head Start program in Washington and Hancock counties before moving to the Wings organization. As a result, there are people throughout the state - the oldest of whom are now in their 50s - who may not remember or even know of Marilyn, but whose lives were changed for the better by the work she did.
She was a lover of lavish seasonal decorations; her nightly 8 o’clock Lifetime movies; Diet Coke; and the music of Willie Nelson and Adele, as well as Dolly Parton (who she was thrilled to see in concert in 2016) and Elvis Presley (who she would’ve seen in concert in 1977, had he not died the day before). She loved to play cards and other games, and despite her sweet nature, she was quite competitive and early on helped her grandchildren learn how to lose to her with grace.
Though her life was often marked by challenges both unique and universal, she faced each with a relentless determination to keep going. She’d be the first to tell you that her persistence wasn’t always graceful, but her ability to get back up was often nothing short of remarkable. There is no doubt that all of us will remember her as one of the strongest women to have blessed our lives.
Marilyn was as kind and loving as she was strong and resilient. She could always be counted on to send a card for a birthday, graduation, or just about any major (or even minor) holiday. She was one of those people you could always count on during a low moment - whether the end of a bad relationship or just a bad day. At all times she was there with an empathetic ear and loving hug.
There is perhaps no role that she relished more than being a grandmother. Affectionately known to her three grandkids as Nannie, she was an inexhaustible source of support and encouragement. Over the years, she spontaneously became an avid fan of baseball, hockey, swimming, scrappy middle school rock bands, and just about anything else her grandkids were into. She was a fixture at sporting and musical events, known simply as “Nannie” to so many, and an enthusiastic supporter to all.
Marilyn is survived by a loving community of family and friends, each of whom surely believe they had a special bond with her, and they are all correct.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Earl (Sonny) and James (Jimmy) Gaddis. She is survived by her two daughters, Mila Tappan and husband Robert, and Becky Anderson and husband Liam; three grandchildren, Alex Tappan, Noah Tappan, and Ellie Anderson; her sister, Karen Sprague and husband Kenny; her nieces Kellie Sprague and husband Steve, Kriste Sprague and her husband Jeff; and Lysa D’Innocenzo; and her nephews Trent Patterson, Britton Bestafka, and Jonathan Gaddis. She is also survived by her former brother-in-law Bill Dwelley and sister-in-law Wanda Murphy who were still family to her even after divorce; her former partner and dear friend David Cox; her close friends, Barb Sproul, Margie Alberts, Ellie Nevers, Margaret Coleman, and Ruth Anne Spence and her very kind caregiver, Diane MacNamara.
We love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, and we’ll see you on the other side.
The family would like to thank the wonderful medical professionals who’ve taken such good care of Marilyn over the years, especially Dr. David Martin who held a very special place in her heart.
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held on Sunday, July 21 at the Bangor Arts Exchange from 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Those who wish to remember Marilyn in a special way may do so by making a donation to Downeast Community Partners (https://www.downeastcommunitypartners.org/donate-volunteer/donate-online.php), an organization that works to support many of the causes that were most important to Marilyn including Head Start, quality childcare, and assistance for seniors that allows them to age in place.
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