Marilyn Manley Smith

Marilyn Manley Smith, 95, of Sarasota, Florida passed away peacefully on December 5, 2023.

She was born on May 10, 1928 in Nyack, NY. Marilyn was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to all. She was known for her unwavering love, being fully interested in you & your life, and living a life of dedication to her family, friends, and students.

Marilyn graduated from Nyack High School. She continued on to earn her Undergraduate Degree in Home Economics from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. She then earned a Master's Degree in Education while raising her five children in Montvale, NJ.

Marilyn loved teaching middle and high school students. She taught Home Economic's at Park Ridge High School in Park Ridge, NJ. After moving to Sarasota, FL Marilyn taught Home Economics at Booker High School and then at Cyesis. Cyesis was a supportive program developed to help pregnant students stay in school. After giving birth, the students could continue on with their education and bring their babies to class. Marilyn loved and believed wholeheartedly in giving the support, care and love to mother and child. She taught there until her retirement in February 1994 at the age of 66. After retiring Marilyn continued her love of teaching and helping single mother's, she went on serve as a Guardian ad Litem for Sarasota County.

Marilyn enjoyed and was highly involved in her sorority Delta Gamma at Cornell University. She stayed involved and held different leadership positions in her Sarasota Delta Gamma Alumni Chapter.

Marilyn had a deep love of learning and continued to take educational classes in History, Classical Music, Religion, and Art History. She frequently opened her home for educational group classes. She especially loved the Impressionists and this could be seen by the art that was displayed in her home.

Marilyn also loved to travel, always studying the history of the area before arriving. She was a member of the Oslo Theater in Sarasota and attended just about every Opera and Ballet performance, as well as Broadway shows and plays that came to Sarasota.

Marilyn's favorite place was Sea Club V on Siesta Key, a beautiful timeshare community. In the 1980's she began coming each summer for three weeks. Making dear friends we would all hear about over the years. She loved Sea Club V so much that she bought three more weeks and encouraged her brother Loring & sister in law Sylvia from NY to join her with their own units. Sea Club V then became a place of wonderful family & friend times, and great memories. Marilyn served on the Board of Sea Club V for many years until she was no longer able to travel and come to the place she loved

She was a member of Saint Boniface Church on Siesta Key until moving to be with her children at the age of 82. Prior to moving to Florida Marilyn was a member of and raised her family at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Montvale, NJ.

Marilyn left behind a legacy of love. She is survived by her children Addison (Teresa) from Columbus, Ohio, Chip (Kris) from Sarasota, Mark (Sue) from Croton on Hudson, NY, Bud from Mohegan Lake, NY, and Betsy Clark from Bowling Green, KY.

She is a cherished grandmother to Addison Smith, Jr, Megan Zietz (David), Geoff Smith (Alyssa), Jamie Smith (Karen), Matthew Clark, Katie Clark (Harry), Robert Smith, and Kody Smith. A great grandmother to Noel & Declan Smith (Addison), Aiden, Evan and Indiana Zietz (Megan) & Avie Smith (Jamie).

Marilyn is also survived by niece Lisa Manley-O'Brien, nephew Clark Manley, and cousin Carol Bauer Johnson.

She is preceded in death by her parents Katherine Knowlton Manley and Francis Edward Manley, her ex-husband of 31 years Jerrould W. Smith, Jr, her brother Loring K. Manley and her sister in law Sylvia Cutie' Manley, and son in law Marc Clark.

Marilyn suffered from dementia in the last years of her life and passed away from complications of a broken hip in Columbus, Ohio.

A memorial service to honor Marilyn's life has been canceled and will be rescheduled due to the hurricane.

Marilyn's unwavering love, generosity, sacrificial heart, the way she was always interested in you, her ability to listen, and loving spirit will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

May she feel the love we all have for her as well as experience eternal peace in the Lord.