Marilyn Fairchild
Marilyn Fairchild
Marilyn Fairchild, 77, of Boise, Idaho passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
She was born in Boise on December 4, 1933, one of three children of George and Gertrude Tonkin. Marilyn graduated from Boise High School and soon after met the man who became the love of her life—Dean Fairchild. She and Dean were married on February 27, 1954. That fall, Marilyn and Dean moved to Seattle where Dean attended the University of Washington. Debby was born that fall and Dad always believed she tried to flunk him out of college.
Upon graduation, Dean and Marilyn moved 14 times in 5 years before landing in Bountiful, Utah. Along the way, Diana, Barb, and Mick were born.
Marilyn received a Bachelor of Art’s Degree in Secondary Education from Boise State College, and taught art and science at Fairmont Junior High School in Boise for her entire professional career. Marilyn was the consummate artist and expressed her creativity in her artwork and photography, as well as her gardening, quilting and cooking. She and Dean loved traveling and exploring, and spent many happy times in Arizona and Alaska. They also enjoyed fishing and camping with family and friends, and rousing games of bridge whenever they had a chance.
Bronco Nation just lost an ardent and devoted fan! She and Dean have many fond memories of games both at Bronco Stadium, as well as at many other WAC venues. They had the thrill of a lifetime getting to watch Boise State beat Oklahoma to win the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma (an educational sorority), and was proud of her family’s history on the Oregon Trail.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Dean, children Debby Chapman, Diana Fairchild, Barb Fairchild and Mick (Chris) Fairchild, grandchildren Megan, Corrie, Emily, Jared, Kasi, and James; and great-grandchildren Ethan, Avery, Jack and Owen. She is also survived by her brother George W. (Bill) Tonkin and his wife Barbara, as well as her sister, Avlin Cripps and her husband Paul, and numerous nieces, nephews, and amazing friends. Let us not forget, she is also survived by several granddoggers and grandcats.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Gertrude Tonkin.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel 5400 Fairview Ave., Boise. . Pastor Mike Freeman of Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Boise will officiate. A private committal service will be held later Tuesday at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marilyn Fairchild, please visit our flower store.
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