Marilyn Elaine Healey

Sun Prairie- Marilyn Elaine (Wright) Healey, age 95, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Prairie Gardens Assisted Living in Sun Prairie, WI. Marilyn was born in Davenport, Iowa, on August 10, 1928, to Loyal Luther Wright and Lura Madissa (Holsapple) Wright. Marilyn graduated from Central High School in Davenport, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Austin A. Healey, on June 18, 1950, with whom she had an adventurous life for 75 years. Austin passed away on December 26, 2020. She has wanted to be reunited with him since then and now is by his side saying “I did it, I’m with Austin.”

Marilyn began her working career at a women’s clothing store in Davenport, IA. She loved fashionable women's clothes and was always looking her best. After marrying Austin, they went on to establish a hobby store in Davenport, IA, called A&M Hobby, where she painted ceramic pottery and figurines. While raising her children she worked part-time at Sears as a phone operator and Wisconsin Cheeseman as a seasonal phone operator. She then worked at WPS in Madison as an underwriter until her retirement.

When she was a child she was a performer, dancing and singing at local establishments. She continued her love for music and often played Broadway show tunes, singing with her children at her side. One song she loved playing was “Kitten on the Keys” and songs from “Music Man.” 

Marilyn was very involved in the care of her children. Her immense love for art and music were passed on to her children and grandchildren. She was a Girl Scout leader, taught sewing through 4-H, and got her children riding horses/showing horses at fairs. She also sang in the Madison Women's Choir which she loved. She had a beautiful voice. She was an accomplished oil and watercolor artist throughout her life. Marilyn attended many art classes, workshops and camps and participated in art exhibitions including Art Fair on the Square. She loved sewing outfits and blankets for her grandchildren. 

She was an exceptionally loving, kind, gentle and devoted mother/wife who was always there for her family and cared deeply for her children and their children across all generations. Marilyn was not only a mother to her children, but also a mother to anyone her children brought home. She will be dearly missed.

Marilyn is survived by her 5 children, Mark Healey, Sheryl (Mark) McNamee, Sheryn Healey, Candice (Dave) Rowe, and Kathy (Rick Sandoval) Healey. She also has 11 grandchildren; Savannah (Eric Geiger) Healey; Austin Healey, Lindsey Richards, Faith (Trevor Raimer) Porter, Brandon McNamee, Michelle (Kevin) Pertzborn, Braylee (Julie) Brabender, Freya (Love) Dialogos, Adam Rowe, Alex (Ashley) Burkeland, Becki Burkeland; 16 great-grandchildren, Aubrie, Max, Lola, Taylor, Haylee, Evan, Josselyn, Alya, Vince, Finn, Damian, AJ, Kaleel, Nolan, Jerzey, Izzy, and two great-great-grandchildren, Liam and Marcello. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Heartland Hospice and staff at Prairie Gardens Assisted Living for their compassionate care. 

A funeral service will be held 10:30 AM at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, WI, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park, 401 Femrite Dr., Monona, WI, following the service at church. There will be a luncheon served at St. Peter Catholic Church after burial. 

Memorials may be gifted in Marilyn’s name to St. Jude Hospital. 

Please share your memories of Marilyn by posting in her Guestbook. 

Cress Funeral Services

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054