CAPE ELIZABETH – Marilyn J. Rundlett, beloved wife of Ellsworth T. Rundlett III, passed away on Feb. 11, 2025, in Cape Elizabeth after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Vassalboro on May 27, 1948, and attended Bath schools, including Morse High School, which was a basketball dynasty when she attended in the ’60s.

She then moved to Boston and Florida where she married her first husband by whom she had two children, Jason Dejenzano of Westbrook and Jamie Minick of Pennsylvania. She has several blood grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Jordan William Minick, 24, and Nicholas Paul Minick, 21.

Upon her return to Maine she met Derry and they were married in 1994 in Scotland, then purchased a home in Cape Elizabeth where they resided until her passing. She was a legal assistant for Murray, Plumb, and Murray before retiring. She and Derry were dedicated travelers and took many trips and cruises through Europe and on the oceans of the world. In 2006 they took a 40-day cruise on the Queen Mary 2 around South America.

While people say that no one is perfect, she has been described as just that by her husband, who has said many times, “If you took all the wonderful wives and mothers of the family shows of the ’50s and ’60s, put all their characteristics into a computer, the name most likely to appear would be hers.”

She was loved by all who met and knew her, with a constant positive attitude and work ethic. Derry credits any success he has had in his law practice and other endeavors to her. “Everything in my life got better after I met her. She was a great cook, wonderful companion, and could fix anything around the house. When we first met, I marveled that she had a tool box and many electric tools, while I almost flunked shop in the 7th grade. She was multi-talented and bright as an LED bulb.”

At the Cape Memory Care facility in Cape Elizabeth she was well liked and appreciated by the staff, to whom Derry thanks for their wonderful care of her in the past several years. When Derry began running senior track and participating in State and National Senior Olympic Games she joined him, and in 2019 was in the top 25 women in the power walk, and gold medalist in Maine for that event.

She was a lover of all animals, especially dogs and their two cats, who followed her wherever she went in the house. She loved walks in Fort Williams Park where she would greet every single dog she met. At home she fed birds, chipmunks, and any other critter seeking food. Derry referred to her as the Snow White of Cape Elizabeth, with scenes reminiscent of that famous movie in their own back yard. Both were members of the Cape Elizabeth Methodist Church and spent many a Sunday holding hands during the service. Both of them loved theater, television and motion pictures; she had a habit of falling asleep at the beginning of almost every musical and motion picture, waking up after about a 20-minute cat nap.

A memorial service will be held at the Cape Elizabeth Methodist Church at 3 p.m. on May 27, her birthday, with a reception immediately following at the Cumberland Club, 116 High St., Portland.

Condolences may be expressed online at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charity relating to the disease of dementia and Alzheimer’s