NEWBURY CENTER, VT – Marilyn Fuller, 93 passed peacefully with family by her side on January 11, 2024.

She was born May 4, 1930, in South Weymouth, MA to the Reverend Andrew Thompson and Marion (Woodworth) Thompson. She lived in Hanson, MA and Arkport, NY graduating in 1948 from Arkport Central School. Marilyn attended New England School of Theology in Brookline, MA.  In 1949, she came to VT where her father had just assumed pastorship of the Free Will Advent Christian Church of Newbury.

She met Kenneth Fuller in Newbury, and they married on February 4, 1950. She is survived by four sons; Glenn Fuller and Crystal Brooks of Southwick, MA, Kevin and wife Darlene Fuller of Newbury Center, VT; Keith Fuller of Mims, FL, and Timothy Alger of Weldon, CA; one daughter, Karen Wallace of Hot Springs, VA; former daughters-in-law, Marie Lackey and Kandi Alger; her grandchildren: Daniel Fuller, Brian Fuller and wife Shannon, Glenn Fuller, Travis Brooks and wife Jessie, Heather (Fuller) and husband Paul Giurlando, Melissa (Fuller) and husband David Litchfield, Kevin and wife Jennifer Fuller, Josh Fuller, Karen Fuller, Kenny and wife Calista Fuller, Evan Fuller, Christopher and wife Emily Wallace, Stormi and husband Josh Schulze, Ashlie Vaughn, T.J. Alger, and Derrick Alger; her great grandchildren: Garrett Fuller and fiancé Lizzy Minkler, Maddy Fuller, Brian Fuller, Jack Fuller, Katryn Cormier, Hailey Fuller, Aiden Sensabaugh, Madeleine Litchfield, Jake Litchfield, Brayden Charles, Leah Obremsky, and Gracelynn Fuller; her great great grandchildren: Kyara Schulze, Andrea Vaughn, Conner Vaughn, and Emmett Minkler.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Kenneth of 62 years; her sister Ellen Andrews; former daughter-in-law Maureen Kennedy Fuller; former son-in-law Michael Wallace; daughter-in-law, Helen Alger; grandson Jake Conrad; long time Fresh Air student Diane Wetzel; and many precious nieces and nephews.

In 1950 she became a 4-H leader in Orange County, VT. Attending many leadership training courses and any other opportunities that arose. Her desire to learn and share with others was a great passion of hers. She was a leader with the Busy Bees 4-H Club in Orange County VT and later in the Bob-O-Link 4-H Club of North Haverhill, NH, and she also assisted the Grafton County 4-H Teen Club.

Some of her many accomplishments include Vermont New England Center 4-H Coordinator for 30 years, New England Center 4-H Coordinator, non-livestock, for Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA for 25 years, and 4-H Program Associate in Grafton County, NH for 10 years specializing in recruiting and organizing clubs.  Her 4-H service spanned over 70 years.
Marilyn became employed at the Grafton County Nursing Home in 1969.

She graduated from the first class of certified Nursing Assistants given by the nursing home. Besides her work there, on the family farm and later with the Grafton County Extension office, you could find her working in school kitchens, substituting in a classroom, serving on the Newbury Little League Association, chairing the Newbury Town House Cemetery Association, working the polls, volunteering for the March of Dimes Walk, judging 4-H competitions, volunteering at the Connecticut Valley Fair in Bradford, VT and North Haverhill Fair, helping with Senior Meals, serving as a committee member of the Grafton County 4-H Leaders' Association Golf Tournament "Playing for Clover", co-chairing the Grafton County Master Gardeners' Association, catering an event, or delivering one of her yummy cakes for a birthday, wedding or any occasion.

In 1996, she graduated from the UNH Master Gardener program and was eager to share her love of gardening with students at various elementary schools in the region.

She was named Modern Woodmen of America Hometown Hero in 2006 and the Cohase Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2014 both for her tireless work to enrich the communities she loved on both sides of the Connecticut River.  She was also recognized by the North Haverhill Fair Association for her years of dedication to the 4-H programs held there.

In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, sewing, crafts, knitting, and cake decorating.  She especially loved hosting the Fuller family reunions at her beloved Round Pond.  A favorite quote of hers is from Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." Marilyn's life was indeed one of giving.

A celebration of her amazing life will be held at the Newbury Town House on June 29th at 1 PM where she will be laid to rest next to the love of her life, Kenneth.

Memorial donations may be made for scholarship funds and sent to Grafton County 4-H Leaders' Association UNHCE, 3855 DCH, Box 5, North Haverhill, NH 03774.