Marilyn Frances Woods, 83, of Fort Wayne, IN and Deming, NM passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 1, 2024. Marilyn was born April 7, 1941 in Hillsdale, Michigan to (Herbert) Carlyle and Loraine Ruth (Null) Seiple.

Growing up her life revolved around her father and mother's work with the church. She and her brother Duane had a music ministry and travelled around the Midwest as a gospel duet with their mother accompanying them. She also was an actress who played the lead in her senior year play and a drum major. When it came time for college, Marilyn knew she loved helping other people and went to school for nursing. She courageously overcame some major challenges and severe trauma on her way to becoming who she was meant to be.

In her career she held many roles including working on the IV team, as a nurse educator, and an amazing administrator leading and teaching thousands of people. She worked for twenty years with Parkview Memorial Hospital before moving to American Red Cross, then Life Care Center of Fort Wayne, and finally Sunnyside Hospice and Palliative Care. She saved so many lives and eased the suffering of countless people.

In her capacity as a nurse, she met the love of her life, James Woods. They were married on December 3, 1971. Together they had many adventures traveling by motorcycle and motor home, building two businesses (Indiana Wire Die and Lincoln Heights Mobile Home Park), and raising three children. After retiring they RVed around the US and ended up getting "stuck" in Deming, New Mexico. They both loved the weather (it's a dry heat they would always remind us), the friendly people, and the beauty of the desert. After Jim passed away in 2012, Marilyn returned to her passion of helping people by working at Deming Helping Hand whose mission is to provide opportunities for low-income families to receive food and affordable household items. She worked there until the pandemic prevented her from continuing.

Marilyn's life of service impacted so many. Anyone who knew her, knew her love language was gift giving. She blessed all her family with amazing holidays including thoughtful gifts and beautiful packages. She was known to make up huge numbers of gift bags to give to anyone who appeared to need a lift. She sponsored children in other countries, missionaries, and abused animals. She would even go out on Christmas to hand out money to those who were homeless. Her love was always there, and the world is a little colder without her in it.

Marilyn is survived by her three daughters Tammy (Michael), Amy (Hakim), and Michele (John); her eight grandchildren Paul (Morgan), Paige (David), Emily (Blaine), Ethan, Jonathon, Gabriel, Aicha, and Aziza; and her five great grandchildren Skyler, Greyson, Kian, Oliver, and Harper. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother.