Marilyn Stinton

Marilyn Elaine Ackley was born on September 29, 1931 at the family home in Snyder Colorado to proud parents Hazel and William Ackley. Marilyn's early childhood was spent in Snyder, where she attended school through her sophomore year. Her family moved into their new family home that her father built in Brush when she was 16. She attended Brush High School, where she met her future husband, Dale and graduated in the class 1949. Marilyn went on to attend Colorado A&M, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1953.

Marilyn taught advanced math classes at Ft. Collins High School before returning to Brush, where she taught as a substitute teacher, primarily math at the high school level, for more than 25 years.

Marilyn and Dale were married in September of 1954 at the Methodist Church in Brush. After they were married, Marilyn and Dale lived briefly in Coronado, California, where Dale was stationed as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. They welcomed their first daughter, Cynthia, in September of 1955 in Brush, where they lived throughout their marriage. They welcomed their son, (William) Carter in 1958, and their daughter Jennifer in 1961. Marilyn and Dale operated the Ackley Building Center in Brush from 1979 to 1991, and the Ackleyn Court apartment complex from 1957 through present day.

Marilyn was a long-time, active member of the Brush United Methodist Church, where she served in various capacities and faithfully worshiped for decades. Marilyn proudly sang in the choir and was an accomplished organist and pianist. Marilyn was also a 75-year member of the international PEO sisterhood, Chapter T, in Brush, having served in every office of the organization. She was dedicated to PEO's mission of service to the local community and making a difference in women's lives by providing educational assistance.

Marilyn had a life-long love of horses. She began asking her parents for a horse when she was 3 years old. After two years of disappointing birthday and Christmas gifts (stick horse, rocking horse, horse pictures), she received her first real horse, Cutie, a Welsh Pony, when she was 5. Her next horse, Spooky, who was an American Saddlebred, joined their family when they moved to Brush when she was 16. He famously attended college with her in Ft. Collins. Her love of horses only grew, and she enjoyed having them throughout her life. Marilyn was also a dog-lover, and was never without a 4-legged companion.

Family was always of paramount importance to Marilyn. She enjoyed many activities with her multi-generational family including traveling throughout all 50 states and to 19 foreign countries. She loved playing bridge, golf, and riding horses. Marilyn's favorite place to be was the family cabin in Nederland, Colorado, where she shared countless family celebrations and relaxing weekends. Marilyn was an avid sports fan; she loved attending games of all types including supporting her grandchildren in their sporting endeavors. Marilyn was an accomplished pianist, and shared her gift by teaching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her enjoyment of piano playing was lifelong, and a continued source of joy right up to the end of her life.

Marilyn is survived by her three loving children, Cindy Paulson of Ft. Collins, Carter (Leianne) Stinton of Sherwood, Oregon, and Jenni Laverenz of Brush, her 6 adoring grandchildren, Laura (David) Kraemer, Kathryn (Zachary) Hobbs, Anthony (Katie) Stinton, Carlee (Dan) Bolthouse, Shane (DaMara) Laverenz, Abby (Tanner) Jones, and her 14 precious great-grandchildren, Jackson and Madelyn Kraemer, Nolan and Emmett Hobbs, Julie, Leah, Andrew and Grant Stinton, Kane, Palmer and Kenzington Bolthouse, Kelsea Laverenz, and Harper and Rocky Jones. She was also survived by her first cousin, Patsy Driscoll Finkenbinder, of New York. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 59 years, Dale.

Funeral service will be on Friday, December 5th at 10:00 am at the Brush United Methodist Church at 1701 Edmunds Street. Lunch reception in the fellowship hall to follow the service. Friends who wish, may make contributions in memory of Marilyn to the Brush United Methodist Church.