Marilyn J. Holley

Marilyn J. Holley, 92, (Foley) passed away peacefully on August 9th at home, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her brother, Robert (Bob) Malone (Gulf Shores), her daughter; Sharon Bertschi (Foley), Son; Robert Holley, wife; Joan and Marilyn’s grandson, Bill Holley (Chipley, Florida). Marilyn’s eldest son, John Holley, passed away in 2005. Marilyn was born in 1930 in Long Beach, California. It was a volatile decade. The Great Depression had just begun and, the Dust Bowl brought drought that would last for 6 years. Soon after, America entered World War II after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Despite the hard times, she and her brother, Bob, had a happy and secure childhood. Their father, Bill Malone, was a Navy Seaman and mother, Margaret, was a homemaker. They were sheltered within a sprawling, close-knit family of aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends. Marilyn graduated in 1950 as a Registered Nurse from the Knapp College of Nursing in Santa Barbara, California. She began working in a psychiatric hospital, married, and had her first two children, John and Sharon. In 1959, they moved to Foley where she was appointed Director of Nursing at the newly built, 36-bed hospital. The hospital has grown over the years and is now the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center. Another move took the family to Tupelo, Mississippi when husband, Ben Holley, was transferred there for his job with the IRS. Marilyn resumed her nursing career and then, in the 60’s, became a college instructor. Desegregation of schools and colleges in the state was just beginning to gain ground. Marilyn taught the first African American nursing student in Mississippi. Many more would follow to earn their nursing degrees–equally–alongside their white classmates. Youngest son, Robert, was born in Tupelo. The family later moved to Panama City, Florida. Marilyn earned her master’s degree there while teaching nursing at Haney Vocational Technical School. She guided hundreds of students to professional careers in the medical field. She was soon offered a position as the director of the newly built Emerald Coast Technical College in Walton County, Florida. There, she made lifelong friends with her staff of instructors, applied for–and won–dozens of grants, and equipped countless students with the skills needed for good jobs. Through her leadership, the school earned distinction as one of the finest vocational-technical colleges in the state. In 2005, Marilyn retired and, she and Ben moved to Foley. They joined St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel in Magnolia Springs and settled into a happy life together. Marilyn was kind, smart and known for her beautiful smile. She laughed every day and read widely, preferring books about history, especially the American West. She was a contemporary, open-minded and positive thinker. As an educator and leader, she guided countless young people and adults toward successful, professional careers. To her family, Marilyn was encouraging, loving and loyal. In her long life, she changed lives for the better. “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived — that is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 2551 SOUTH MCKENZIE STREET FOLEY, AL 36535 (251) 943-2391