Marilyn (Cates) Greenleaf

Marilyn Cates Greenleaf, 89, of Columbia, formerly of Coventry, CT and Zephyrhills, FL, passed peacefully on Monday, May 28, 2019, at the home of her daughter Elaine and her husband, Tom Burns.  Marilyn was born on April 28, 1930, to Louis and Evelyn Cates of Rockland, ME. She graduated from Rockland High School in 1948. On November 20, 1948, Marilyn married Ellsworth B. Greenleaf. She loved to tell the story of first seeing him marching in a parade as a returning World War II war hero. They moved from Maine to Coventry, CT in 1953, where they raised their son, James, and daughter, Elaine.  Marilyn was employed by the University of Connecticut and retired after 30 years as Assistant Dean of Students in 1988. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Betty Putnam Chapter #106, and was Past Matron of the Climax Chapter #98, in Storrs, CT.  Marilyn loved traveling and enjoyed many weekend and summer vacations with her family that invariably included being near the ocean. After retirement, Marilyn and Ellsworth became snowbirds, establishing homes in Zephyrhills, FL and Storrs, CT, as well as continuing to travel throughout the world. She moved to Columbia, CT in 2017 to live with her daughter Elaine and her husband Tom.   Marilyn is survived by her children James Greenleaf and his wife Kathy of Sunriver, OR; Elaine Burns and her husband Tom of Columbia, CT; 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Emma Greenleaf, of Coventry, CT.  She was predeceased by her parents and her husband. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Marilyn’s team of caregivers from Hartford Home Hospice.  Memorial contributions in Marilyn’s name may be made to the Hartford HealthCare at Home – Hospice Care Program via Network for Good at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/502445?uniqueID=634624218138257199  A memorial service will be held at a future date at Fairview Cemetery in Farmington, ME.  

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