Obituary of Marilyn M. Astin

"Palmer, Marilyn M. (McIlvaine) Astin, 77 of the Thorndike section of Palmer, died May 29, 2008 after a prolonged battle with melanoma. Born May 21, 1931 and raised in Boston, Marilyn was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (McGowan) McIlvaine, and was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert H. Astin, in 1989. Marilyn worked in the health care field for many years, retiring in 1996 from Wing Memorial Hospital, Palmer. Upon retirement, she volunteered at Palmer Library's Literacy program and also at Wing Memorial. She is survived by her children: Mark MacDougall and his wife Susan, Joan Appleby, Kathryn Hoy and her husband Thomas, all of Palmer; Janet Phelps and her husband Joel of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Lyn MacBruce and her husband Ronald of Brookfield, Vermont and Matthew MacDougall and his wife Lorraine of Shirley, MA, along with her sister Maureen Bernat of Palmer. Eleven grandchildren also survive her. She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Karen MacDougall in 1966, a son Joseph M. MacDougall in 1996 a grandson, Benjamin MacDougall in 1980, and a brother, Brian Daly in 1997. Public calling hours will be held Monday, June 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Beers and Story Funeral Home in Palmer, with a private service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Quaboag Valley Hospice, 42B Wright St, Palmer, MA. For more information and online guestbook, please visit www.beersandstory.com . "