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Marilyn Adams Obituary
Phoenix - Marilyn Howe Adams passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family on May 11th 2018 at the age of 90.
Marilyn was born and raised in Princeton, Indiana. She was the daughter of Conrad and Ada Howe. She also had one brother Robert Howe.
She was predeceased by Robert G. Adams and Ray A. Frederick. Marilyn is survived by two daughters Lynn Adams and Victoria Phair.
Marilyn graduated from Indiana University with a degree in education and began a successful career as a leading educator working for both Phoenix and Scottsdale School Districts. Marilyn excelled at teaching children with learning difficulties which eventually lead her to be the founder of Indian Hills Day School, one of the first licensed schools in the state of Arizona with a specific curriculum designed for children with learning disabilities.
After retiring from education, Marilyn became interested in real estate and began a second career as a successful real estate agent selling homes in the Sun City area for many years.
Marilyn truly touched the lives of many. She will be remembered as a warm, beautiful, accomplished leader who gave with a selfless heart and soul. Happy Mother's Day Mar, you will be loved and missed by all.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Marilyn Adams
Victoria Phair
May 14, 2025
Mother- I miss you today and every day. Happy Mother´s Day.
Victoria Phair
May 7, 2024
Dearest Mother
You are missed and loved by all.
Victoria Phair
May 13, 2023
You are and always be such a special Mother to us. We love you today and always.
Barbara Mitchell - McKay
May 25, 2019
On the evening of May the 11th, 2018, I learned of the death of Marilyn Howe Adams. A Mother, a neighbor of over 20 years, a dear friend to my family, a teacher at heart and a second Mother to me. I realized Arizona has lost a fine pioneer in educating the learning disabled. Marly ( as I lovingly called her) was no longer physically with us. I began to think back on my childhood and all that I learned from my friend and how she helped mold me to the person I proudly am today. She saw I had ADD at an early age and taught me how to love some things I truly hated, like reading. She taught me how to bake with a great amount of patience, no doubt. She taught me how to enjoy learning new things, how to be a good friend and she showed me a way to love I didn't know existed. Marly had energy to burn. After a long week of teaching she would get her girls up early Saturday mornings to mow the yard, trim the hedges and be done with all of the other outdoor chores so she could grab all the neighborhood kids she could fit into her camper and take-off for Slide Rock, Montezuma Castle or some other destination to have fun and make memories. I have another fond memory of the time she put me up in the saddle with her and took me on my first Gallup on the Arizona Canal bank on her beloved Roca Girl, what a thrill. Our families usually shared Thankgiving and Christmas dinners together, switching houses every year and I remember having such difficulty waiting to get a bite of her famous Waldorf salad, it never failed to be worth the wait. There came a time in my life I needed a roof over my head to save enough money to move into my first apartment. Marly was there for me once again. She asked for just enough rent to allow me to feel that sense of responsibility. It was an honor and a privilege to have known and loved Marilyn Howe Adams ( Marly). It is also an honor and privilege to know and love her daughter's, Victoria Adams Phair and Lynn Adams.
Barbara Mitchell-McKay
May 25, 2019
On the evening of May 11th, 2018 I learned of the death of Marilyn Howe Adam's. A mother, a neighbor of over 20 years, a dear friend to my family, a teacher at heart and a second mother to me. I realized Arizona had lost a fine pioneer in educating the learning disabled. Marly(as I lovingly called her) was no longer physically with us. I began to think back on my childhood and all that I learned from my friend and how she helped mold me to the person I proudly am today. She saw I had ADD at an early age and taught me how to love some things I truly hated, like reading. She taught me how to bake with a great amount of patience no doubt. She taught me how to enjoy learning, how to be a GOOD friend and she showed me a way to love I didn't know existed. Marly had energy to burn. After a long week of teaching she would get her girls up early Saturday morning to mow the yard, trim the hedges and all the other outdoor chores so she could grab all the neighborhood kids she could fit in the camper and take-off for Slide Rock, Montezuma Castle or somewhere else where it was cooler. She put me up in the saddle with her and took me on my first gallop on the Arizona Canal bank on her beloved Roca Girl, what a thrill.Our families usually shared Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners together, switching houses every year and I always had difficulty waiting to get a bite of her famous Waldorf Salad, it never failed to be worth the wait. There came a time in my life I needed a roof over my head to save enough money to move into my first apartment. Marly was there for me once again. She asked for just enough rent to allow me to feel that sense of responsibility. It was an honor and a privilege to have known Marilyn Howe Adams(Marly). It is also an honor and a privilege to know and love her daughters, Victoria Adams Phair and Lynn Adams.
Dennis McKay
May 25, 2019
Rest in peace Marilyn and may perpetual light shine upon you.
Jane Cassidy
May 22, 2019
Indian Hills School was founded by Marilyn H. Adams on the lower slopes of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, 5+ years before the United States Congress recognized the need to educated children who learned differently than many or faced any special challenges to learning in a traditional classroom, at a time when many teachable students were sent home as unteachable. Her teaching methods proved that any child will learn what they are interested in when their strengths are engaged.
She taught teachers and students alike that:
•Every child can learn to read
•Teach to interests
•Build on strengths
•Dont treat deprivation with deprivation
•Never abandon a child
•Dont give up on anyone
•Ignore fashions in education; do what works
She was a remarkable teacher.
Jane Shore
May 13, 2019
Marilyn was my 2nd mother. We had great adventures traveling to Slide Rock and Sedona every summer. She taught us all to be strong women who knew our minds and worked hard to achieve our goals. She made me love learning new things and to just get up and go. You will forever be in my heart.
Michelle Cochran
May 13, 2019
Another angel in heaven., I never knew. But you raised a beautiful daughter, Victoria. I know you'll watch over here as she did you. Rest In PeaceMichelle Cochran
D. Romans 15:33 Andrews
May 13, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
May 13, 2019
May the God of all comfort,and his loyal love,be with the family and friends !as you grieve for your precious loved one.psalms119:76
Betty.
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