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Obituary for Marilyn Yvonne Gandy

Marilyn Yvonne (Boyd) Gandy was born January 24th 1939 in Toledo, Ohio. She was the oldest child to the late Ralph and Martha Boyd. She was called to eternal rest after 78 years on December 29th, 2017. Marilyn was a proud graduate of Scott High School, and The University of Toledo, where she earned her degree in Education. While at the university, Marilyn was the school's first black cheerleader. She also was a very active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. After earning her degree, Marilyn became one of the first teachers at Stewart Elementary School in Toledo, Ohio when it first opened in the mid 1960's. Marilyn left Toledo and moved to Racine, Wisconsin to pursue another teaching opportunity. It was there where she met her husband Dennis Gandy, who was a member of the United States Airforce. After their marriage, they moved to Columbus, Mississippi, where Marilyn again taught school. Dennis received another transfer, this time to the country of England, where Marilyn was able to get a teaching position at the Air Force Base School. Upon returning to the states, the couple moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where Marilyn was able to continue her teaching career.
During her time in Memphis, Marilyn became an active member of Maranatha Christian Campus Ministries. Marilyn loved to sing, dance on the praise team, and support the groups many campus activities. In 981 Marilyn decided to join a group of Maranatha friends and start a new ministry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. There she got a job working as an Executive Research Secretary for Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Marilyn was able to retire from Howard Hughes after 20 years of service. Even after retiring, Marilyn found ways to support her local church, by teaching at their schools. She also found enjoyment as an avid reader and joining a senior citizen’s group, where she continued to sing, play the guitar, play golf, and minister at many of the local nursing homes.
In 2014, Marilyn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and made the decision to move back to Toledo to live with her mother and sister. Marilyn reunited her membership with Friendship Baptist Church, where she served on the church’s Mother’s Ministry. In 2016 Marilyn moved to the Park Cliff Memory Care Community Center. She received their care and service until her death.
Marilyn leaves to cherish her memory, her foster daughter Marlania (Jim) Moreland and their son Jonathan Moreland; Sisters Carol Yates, Gwendolyn (Robert) Scott, Marquita and Marcia Boyd, Cynthia (James) Bunn; Brothers Lawrence (Jeni) Boyd, and Ralph Boyd; Aunt Reba Abernathy; Nephews Ronald (Brenda) Yates Jr, and Dwane Yates along with beloved grand nieces, grand nephews, relatives and friends.

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