Obituary for Marilyn Kirkham Edmunds (Kirkham)
Marilyn Lillian Kirkham Edmunds, of Irvington, died on April 6, 2020 at the age of 89 in her adopted home state of Virginia. Born on July 26, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York, she was the younger daughter of the late Richard Montgomery Kirkham and Jeannette (Jeanne) Sheldon Kingston Kirkham. She was preceded in death by her husband of twenty-four years Robert John Edmunds. Marilyn is survived by her daughter Janet Edmunds Auger of Ashburn, VA and her children Bruce Brooks Auger (wife Gabriela Salgueiro Piai Auger) of Haymarket, VA; Caitlin Auger Miller (husband Steven Benjamin Miller and their daughters Camille Frances Miller and Brynn Isabelle Miller) of Leesburg, VA; and Austin Louis Auger of Washington, D.C., and by her son Robert Kingston Edmunds (wife Pamela Eileen Silbert Edmunds) of San Diego, CA and their sons Ross Montgomery Edmunds of San Diego, CA and Brent Silbert Edmunds (wife K Chico) of Sunnyvale, CA.
Marilyn’s older sister, Janet Sheldon Kirkham Hargarten, predeceased Marilyn on February 15, 2008. Marilyn is also survived by her sister Janet’s children who, for as long as anyone can remember, always and affectionately referred to Marilyn as “Auntie Mame”: Richard William Hargarten, Mary Hargarten Pence, Anne Louise Hargarten Snell, and John Augustus Hargarten Jr.
Never a fan of cooking, Marilyn mastered the art of PB&J’s, crackers and cheese, and no-bake fudge. Her favorite meal was a plain cheeseburger, french fries, and a chocolate milkshake from McDonalds. An avid and extensive reader, she favored biographies and British murder mysteries. Solving puzzles and playing board games, bridge, poker, and golf were her preferred leisure activities. She was an inveterate gambler on NFL games of old, making usually friendly bets against her brother-in-law Jack Hargarten and his Vince Lombardi-led Green Bay Packers in the days when they played the George Halas Chicago Bears, the Dandy Don Meredith Dallas Cowboys, and her favorite, the Sonny Jorgensen Washington Redskins.
Marilyn passionately believed in public service and sought out volunteer opportunities with multiple diverse organizations dealing with health care, politics, libraries, and education. She served on the Vestry of both Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock, VA and St. John’s Episcopal Church in McLean, VA, as well.
To her grandchildren, Marilyn was the persistent, yet gentle enforcer of Nana’s Rules for Grandchildren. To her children, she was, well, Mom and sometimes “Mother?!”, unstintingly loving, supporting, and sheltering them, come what may.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury (RWC) Foundation, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington, VA 22480.
Services to be held at a later date.
Marilyn’s older sister, Janet Sheldon Kirkham Hargarten, predeceased Marilyn on February 15, 2008. Marilyn is also survived by her sister Janet’s children who, for as long as anyone can remember, always and affectionately referred to Marilyn as “Auntie Mame”: Richard William Hargarten, Mary Hargarten Pence, Anne Louise Hargarten Snell, and John Augustus Hargarten Jr.
Never a fan of cooking, Marilyn mastered the art of PB&J’s, crackers and cheese, and no-bake fudge. Her favorite meal was a plain cheeseburger, french fries, and a chocolate milkshake from McDonalds. An avid and extensive reader, she favored biographies and British murder mysteries. Solving puzzles and playing board games, bridge, poker, and golf were her preferred leisure activities. She was an inveterate gambler on NFL games of old, making usually friendly bets against her brother-in-law Jack Hargarten and his Vince Lombardi-led Green Bay Packers in the days when they played the George Halas Chicago Bears, the Dandy Don Meredith Dallas Cowboys, and her favorite, the Sonny Jorgensen Washington Redskins.
Marilyn passionately believed in public service and sought out volunteer opportunities with multiple diverse organizations dealing with health care, politics, libraries, and education. She served on the Vestry of both Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock, VA and St. John’s Episcopal Church in McLean, VA, as well.
To her grandchildren, Marilyn was the persistent, yet gentle enforcer of Nana’s Rules for Grandchildren. To her children, she was, well, Mom and sometimes “Mother?!”, unstintingly loving, supporting, and sheltering them, come what may.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury (RWC) Foundation, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington, VA 22480.
Services to be held at a later date.