Marilyn S. Stone

Marilyn S. (Covitz) Stone, of Lexington, MA, passed away on May 26, 2020 at the age of 96. Marilyn was the daughter of Herbert Covitz and Sayde Aronson Covitz. She was the beloved wife of the late Leonard S. Stone, to whom she was married for 57 years. Marilyn was a devoted mother to Robert Stone and his wife Catherine, Daniel Stone and his wife Joyce, and Barbara Stone Doucette and her husband David.  She was also a loving grandmother of Karine Spencer and her husband Tony, Emily Stone, and Michelle and Amy Doucette.

Marilyn grew up in Chelsea MA. She spoke proudly about her life there and her time spent living with her grandmother Fannie Aronson. She would often ask to visit her childhood home on George Street. She last visited it with her children in 2014, and she remembered it fondly even though it had been converted into a convent. After graduating from Chelsea High School, Marilyn went on to dental school and became a dental assistant. She met her husband Leonard at a party when she was 18, and they married in 1944 when she was 20. His 22 year Air Force career as a pilot brought them all around the U.S. They lived in Natick, MA,  Huntington, NY,  Mobile, AL,  Dayton, OH,  Honolulu, HI, and Evanston, IL, before returning to Massachusetts to be near their family once again and settling in Lexington when Leonard retired from the military in 1968. 

Marilyn was a vibrant, active, independent woman with many hobbies, including growing orchids, flower arranging, gardening, fishing, shelling, and cooking. As a gardener, Marilyn had a green thumb and could grow anything, from Bonsai Banyan trees (one of which is over fifty years old now) to spectacular orchids. Her home was always filled with plants. There was always an avocado plant sprouting on the kitchen windowsill. Family time growing up was often by the water, be it ocean, lake, or pool, where all the children learned to swim and sail.  The family frequently came back to Massachusetts for vacations with Marilyn and Leonard’s families and family friends, often going down the Cape to Mashnee Village. Marilyn and Leonard also experienced the trip of a lifetime when they had the opportunity to travel to Japan and the Philippines.

Marilyn loved spending time with family and friends and had a huge impact on her children and grandchildren’s lives. Marilyn and Leonard took care of each of their four granddaughters at some point in their lives. All four girls happily remember tracing on the Laurel and Hardy light table that Barbara had also used growing up.  Some of the granddaughters' memories also include Marilyn giving them garlic when they were sick or a scalp massage when they couldn't sleep. Marilyn always said she had healing hands, and we wholeheartedly agree. The grandchildren all received wonderful handwritten letters when they were away.  Later in life, Marilyn and Leonard vacationed frequently with their children and grandchildren, most often in Longboat Key, Florida and at the Trapp Family Lodge guest houses in Stowe, Vermont. 

Marilyn and Leonard were also very active in their gourmet group, planning and hosting themed multi-course dinners. Marilyn was always expanding her horizons. She was a frequent reader of self-help books and articles on many subjects, including nutrition, education, and gardening, and a firm believer that you could learn to do anything. In her fifties, she earned her Real Estate Broker’s license.  Later in life, she would interview her retired friends and write up autobiographical articles, getting them published in the Lexington Minuteman newspaper. She moved into independent living as one of the earliest residents of The Groves/Commons in Lincoln in 2011. Even here, she planted a garden that yielded so many tomatoes and peppers that it kept the family busy helping her eat them.

Most of all, Marilyn was incredibly loving and always comforting. She was always there to provide comfort. Children and grandchildren all received the most comforting hugs, kisses, and hand-holding on a regular basis that they will never forget! Marilyn will be deeply missed and always loved.

A private burial was held at Sharon Memorial Park. As an expression of sympathy, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.