Marilyn Jean Braithwaite, 66 of Martinsburg, West Virginia left this life on July 8, 2014. Born January 24, 1948 in Winchester, VA she was the daughter of Bette Dickson Braithwaite and Charles Wilson Braithwaite, both deceased.
She is survived by her beloved partner of 36 years Christina Mary Lundberg, her sisters Carole Braithwaite Fortune of Strasburg, VA and Donna Braithwaite Brown of Winchester, VA. Also survived by nephews Christopher Dickson Brown and Adam Wilson Brown.
Others survivors include her best friend of nearly fifty years, Sally Jenkins Shaffer and her husband Joseph B. Shaffer of Silver Spring, MD, the light of her life her Goddaughter Carrelle Shaffer Tiller; Carrelle’s husband Caleb Matthews Tiller; and their two children Travis Nathan Tiller and Campbell Claire Tiller of Washington, DC. Every minute Marilyn spent with them was absolute joy.
She also leaves behind her much loved cocker spaniels Brody and Jordy.
Marilyn graduated from Handley High School in Winchester, VA in 1966, and received an Associate Degree from Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA in 1968. She was a member of Market Street United Methodist Church in Winchester, VA.
During her career she worked in Washington, DC for twenty years for several socially progressive organizations. She was employed at WETA/Channel 26 National Public Affairs Center for Television, the Urban Environment Conference, the National Consumer Center and the Human Rights Campaign Fund.
In 1987, Marilyn obtained her Washington, DC real estate license and her West Virginia real estate license after moving to West Virginia in 1992. In 1998 she was named Realtor of the Year by the Eastern Panhandle Board of Realtors and was voted President of the Board in 2000. She retired in 2008 due to health reasons.
Marilyn loved to laugh and especially enjoyed animals, flowers, cooking and the Christmas holidays. She also was an avid mystery reader.
Please join us to celebrate the joys of her life on Friday, July 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the Purple Iris, Martinsburg. In lieu of flowers, Marilyn asked that contributions be made to your local Humane Society, Hospice or Oldies but Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue (obg.com) in Newington VA.

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