Marilyn Tracy Obituary
Marilyn (Griffiths) Tracy, of Southampton, MA, 85
Born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, Marilyn was the daughter of Walter and Ruth (Davis) Griffiths. She was a proud graduate of Bridgewater State College, becoming a public school teacher for 30 years.
During her time as a teacher at Case High School in Swansea, she served as drama club advisor. One of her most special students was Cheryl (Tracy) Edwards. Through Cheryl, Marilyn met her future husband, Dayne Tracy, who had just returned home from the Army. Arriving early for the drama club banquet held at Cheryl's parents' restaurant, her future mother-in-law brought her into the kitchen to meet her son, Dayne. They married six months later.
Resembling glamorous actresses like Elizabeth Taylor and Polly Bergen, Marilyn was a theater enthusiast and singer, performing in many community theater productions over the years.
She was a sophisticated and talented woman who taught her three daughters a great deal about everything from etiquette to nature to art. She was a great pie baker.
After taking time off to raise her family, Marilyn returned to teaching, first in Oxford, Pennsylvania, where the family lived for five years, then later in Northampton, Massachusetts.
The highlight of every school year for her at Northampton High School was taking students on an annual trip to Washington, DC in conjunction with the Close Up Foundation. The students learned about civics and our democratic system of government. Marilyn loved introducing her students to elected officials, visiting the Capitol and even the Supreme Court with her students.
Following her retirement, she was active as a volunteer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, serving as the president of the auxiliary for two years, after which she was presented with the Distinguished Service Award.
She leaves her beloved husband of 58 years Dayne Tracy and her daughters, sons-in-law and three grandchildren (Hilary and son Frank Allard of Bridgewater, MA; Amanda, Dan, Emma and Alex Shockley of Winter Haven, FL; and Erica and Dustin Hambly of Santa Rosa, CA). She was preceded in death by her beloved son-in-law Christopher Allard.
Donations may be made in her memory to the Jimmy Fund or March of Dimes. Her family wishes to thank the team at Cooley Dickinson Hospice for their outstanding care in the last three months of Marilyn's life.
Calling hours will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home in Easthampton, Mass. on Wednesday, October 22 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
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Published by westernmassnews from Oct. 17 to Oct. 18, 2025.