Marilyn B. Gage

TENANTS HARBOR – Marilyn B. Gage, 91, passed away peacefully at UMass Memorial in Worcester, Mass., on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013, with her loving family by her side. She was born Sept. 8, 1922, in Chicago, the daughter of the late Walter and Myrtle Nelson Benedix.
After finishing high school in the Chicago area, she would go on to join the U.S. Navy, serving our country from 1945 to 1947. During this time her duty stations would include Riverside, Calif., and the Chelsea Naval Hospital. The time spent at the Chelsea Naval Hospital would have a profound effect on her life, as this is where she would meet her husband, Wallace Gage. The two were married on Dec. 20, 1945.
During their many years of marriage, the couple would move around the east coast with stops in Long Island, Conn., and, New Jersey, raising her five children along the way. In 1978 the couple retired to Martinsville. In retirement she would find many activities to help her keep busy and active. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star with the Naomi Chapter in St. George, a member of the choir at the Ridge Baptist Church, a member of the American Legion, and a volunteer for many years at the Marshall Point Lighthouse. She loved to read, especially mystery books, and could often be found in her garden. Traveling was something she loved to do, and travel she did, spending time traveling throughout the United States, as well as making many trips to Scotland. She was one of the nicest people you could ever have the pleasure of knowing, always looking out for others. Her actions were genuine and true, and she enjoyed the lost art of letter writing. She had a card or a note for every occasion, each one hand written. Always cooking for her family, some recipes that have been passed along include her Mexicali Casserole, Texas Hash, and Sloppy Joes.
She was predeceased by her husband of over 60 years, Wallace Gage; and three brothers, Richard, Jimmy, and Keith Benedix. Survivors include her children, Barbara Gage of Framingham, Mass., Nancy Pratt and her husband, William, of Millbury, Mass., Janet Clark and her husband, Timothy, of Flower Mound, Texas, Sharon Naughton and her husband, Keary, of Douglas, Mass., and Stephen Gage and his wife, MaryLee, of Highbridge, N.J.; brother, Walter J. Benedix Jr. and his wife, Rose, of Webster, Wis.; grandchildren, Shauna Kurvach and her husband, Captain Steven Kurvach, of Fort Polk, La., Ian Gage of Highbridge, N.J., Devon Pratt of Millbury, Mass., Ethan Pratt of Millbury, Mass., Erin Hart of Delray Beach, Fla., Danielle Hart of Delray Beach, Fla., Julie McDaniel and her husband, Brandon, of San Marcos, Texas, Briana Gardell and her husband, Sean, of Worcester, Mass., and Caitlin Naughton of Jamaica Plain, Mass.; and great-grandchildren, Tristyn McDaniel of San Marcos, Texas, Natalie Gardell of Worcester, Mass., and MaryElla Kurvach of Fort Polk, La.
A time of gathering for friends and family will be held on 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at Hall Funeral Home of Thomaston, 78 Main St., with an Eastern Star service at 5 p.m. A celebration of life will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Port Clyde Baptist Church, 843 River Road, with the Rev. James Robbins officiating. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841. Arrangements are entrusted to Halls of Thomaston, Thomaston. You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.