Marilyn Hurst

Marilyn B. Hurst, age 90, passed away February 1st, 2023, from natural causes. A private memorial gathering will be held for immediate family on the shore of Lake Superior, a place dear to her.

Marilyn was born in 1932 in Glenside, PA, the second daughter of Walter and Ethel. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BS in Occupational Therapy. She later studied Geology and served as a docent at the University of Wisconsin Geology Museum for many years. She earned her MS in Behavioral Disabilities and her PhD in Adult Education, focusing on museum education for blind and disabled visitors.

At First Baptist Church, Marilyn served on the Board of Trustees, Board of Christian Education, the Pastoral search committee, and as Moderator of the congregation. She served as President of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, and on the Board of Trustees of Bacone College in Muskogee, OK, an American Baptist institution serving Native Americans since 1880.

She loved outdoor activities, particularly around Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She enjoyed backpacking, mountain climbing, and river rafting expeditions around the Western US, Canadian, and Alaskan wilderness.

Marilyn’s generous heart and gracious hospitality were known to all who met her.

She is survived by her beloved husband Bill, son David and daughter-in-law Cheryl, son Doug, his partner Amy, brother-in-law Bill, niece Barbara and nephew Richard (Buzz). She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in her name to the Friends of the Geology Museum, 1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI, 53706 by check or the UW Geology Museum Fund https://geologymuseum.org.