An independent woman to the very end, Marilyn Jackson True, 87, died on July 4, 2012 in Damariscotta, Maine. She was born in Portland on November 6, 1924, the daughter of Elizabeth Palmer and Elmer H. Jackson, M.D.

Marilyn spent her childhood in Augusta and Jefferson and attended Cony High School. She graduated from Simmons College in Boston and later received her M.S. degree from Harvard School of Public Health and Simmons College. She was a long time member of the American Dietetic Association and the Maine Dietetic Association.

In 1946 she married Raymond H. True of Augusta, and they resided in Boston. She worked as a nutritionist with the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston and later lived and worked at Norfolk Settlement House in Roxbury.

Marilyn and her husband then moved to Oakland, Maine, where they lived for many years. She worked with her husband at True’s Pharmacy and later worked as a nutritionist for the Department of Health and Welfare in Augusta and at the pediatric and dental clinics at Mid-Maine Medical Center in Waterville.

She was a long time member of the Universalist Church of Oakland, where she taught Sunday school. She was active in girl scouts and community affairs and was the recipient of Oakland’s Outstanding Citizen Award.

In 1984, Marilyn and Ray moved to Jefferson where they remodeled the old Jackson family homestead. Here, she was a member of the Jefferson Historical Society, the Women’s Extension and the United States Power Squadron. The couple sailed the Maine coast during the summer months for 18 years on their boat, the MarRay.

From 1980 thru 2002, she spent the winters with her husband in Dade City, Florida, at Travelers Rest, where she was active in First Aid and became a First Responder. She also was active in square dancing, quilting and bicycling. The couple traveled across the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. In 1996, Marilyn and Ray celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a ten-week camping trip to Alaska.

In 2009, the couple moved to Chase Point in Damariscotta, where Ray died later that year. The family extends heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff of Chase Point for the love and care provided to both parents during their time in Damariscotta.

Marilyn is survived by her children Alyson True and her partner Lisa Scott of Jefferson, Laurel Powers and her husband Mark of Oakland, Jeffrey True and his wife Kim of North Yarmouth, and Daniel True of West Bath, and her grandchildren Cari Orsi and her husband Allen of North Attleboro, Mass., Emily True of Somerville, Mass., Richard Powers and his wife Laura of San Diego, Cal., Benjamin True of Hanover, N.H., and Asiah Wilmot of Jefferson.

A private burial will take place at a later time, arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Services www.wheelerfh.com . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jefferson Fire and Rescue or the Jefferson Historical Society in Jefferson, Maine 04038.