Obituary of Marilyn E. Tibbetts
Heaven took another angel home on October 28, 2023, Marilyn Elma (Long) Tibbetts of Shutesbury, with her loving son Walter by her side. Marilyn was born on March 2, 1936 to Walter James Long and Elma Edith (Lemke) Long. She grew up in the Willimansett section of Chicopee.
The family bought property in Shutesbury in 1949 and spent most of their summers at the “camp” with family and friends. At that time one of her favorite pastimes was going roller skating with friends in Turners Falls, where she met her husband Robert Howard Tibbetts. They married on August 11, 1956 at the Shutesbury Congregational Church with the reception in a pavilion on property adjacent to the camp which was later converted into their home. She spent her later years in a new home of her dreams on the original property bought in 1949.
Marilyn enjoyed living in and serving the Town of Shutesbury in many capacities. These included Clerk to the Board of Selectman, Board of Health, Community Club, Council on Aging, Cemetery Commission and Constable. Like her father, husband, and son Walter, her favorite and longest lasting service to the town was on the Shutesbury Fire Department, where she served as Firefighter, First Responder, and in later years as Secretary and Communications Officer… known to many as “The Voice” of KCH 469.
Marilyn had many careers during her lifetime starting with clerical work at Springfield Freightlines. She managed Long’s Package store in Shutesbury, owned and operated Quabbin Bait and Supply in Belchertown, worked at Brooks Drugstore and at Dairy Mart. She then drove school bus for Greene Charter Service for many years before retiring.
She loved her trips to Hawaii, making many long lasting friendships there. In Shutesbury she loved sitting on the front porch watching and feeding the birds including many families of wild turkeys, which she trained to come running when she called them. She was an avid puzzle
builder, loved playing cards and had a collection of nearly 1,000 bells. She enjoyed camping, going to NASCAR races in Dover Delaware and rooting for her favorite driver Mark Martin. Marilyn was a people person and was famous for her “Friends and Family” parties, which she carefully planned and thoroughly enjoyed. Like her mother “the more people the better”.
Marilyn was pre-deceased by her husband Robert Tibbetts. She leaves her son Walter Tibbetts who always cared for her, and her daughter Susan Tecce of New York, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, November 7 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Beers and Story Funeral Home, 10 Maple Street (Rte. 202) Belchertown. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 8, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with burial to follow in the West Cemetery, Leverett Road in Shutesbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marilyn’s name to: Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice
P.O. Box 329 Northampton, MA 01061-0329 or to The Shutesbury Firefighters Association P.O. Box 295 Shutesbury, MA 01072.
