Marilyn (Groom) Chamberlin, 93, was born May 9, 1931, in St, Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of Harley and Crystal (McCartney) Groom, and died on June 7, 2024. She attended a rural, one-room school, and graduated from high school in Maysville, Missouri. She attended college in Maryville, Missouri, obtained a degree in Nursing from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1954, and married Vernon A. Chamberlin in Lawrence, Kansas, on June 4, 1955.
Marilyn worked at the K.U. Medical Center two years, and at hospitals in Los Angeles (where their daughter was born), and in Stillwater, Oklahoma (where their son was born). Vernon accepted a job at the University of Kansas in 1963; they moved to Lawrence, and Marilyn worked at Lawrence Memorial hospital until her retirement in 1995.
She served on the Douglas County Public Health Board 1970-1978, and the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Board eight years, she was also a charter member of the group that founded Hospice Care in Douglas County in 1979, and served eleven years on the Hospice Advisory Committee. She was a member of the American Nurses Association, the League of Women Voters, the Kansas University Women’s Club, and had a longstanding interest in genealogy and family history.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, Keith Groom, and a sister, Carol Hargin. She is survived by her daughter, Marlene (Lawrence, Kansas), her son, Mark (Grand Junction, Colorado), and an honorary granddaughter, Julia Silverstein (Minneapolis, Minnesota).
There will be a private inurnment in Pioneer Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be made at rumsey-yost.com. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in Marilyn’s name to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, and may be sent to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.
“Aunt Marilyn,” my mom’s sister, is probably the nicest person I’ve ever met. We were separated by distance, but our family talked about her every week at one point or another. Antie M was one of a kind and will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Marilyn was my mother’s first cousin. Like Carolyn said, she was the glue that held everything together . Was the family historian and a great one at that! Enjoyed taking my mother( June) to the McCartney cousins reunion for many years. Marylin will be deeply missed by her family. Rest in peace.
Marilyn will be missed by so many but especially by our family. She was the glue that held our family together, May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you Peace.
We will miss Aunt Marilyn greatly. I feel genuinely blessed to be able to call her my aunt. She exuded kindness in all that she did and was such a great example. I think she is probably one of the most non-judgmental people I know. We have wonderful memories of her visits to the NW, and will miss her letters and phone conversations. I think my favorite memories of her are when she and my mom (her sister) would get tickled about something and have fits of laughter. Aunt Marilyn leaves a lot to be missed, but I’m thankful for all the memories she recorded for us in genealogy books and in our hearts.
Friends since 1962…so many memories…so much love for Marilyn and Vern. Not enough words to convey our heartbroken souls. Prayers for Marlene and Mark. Love. Martha and Ray
My deepest condolences to Marilyn’s family. Such a wonderful woman who will be sorely missed.