Marilyn Wray Hinkle, 74, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away at home on April 23, 2026. Born in Girard, Kansas, she spent her life forming lasting connections, guided by her strong faith and devotion to the people around her. She deeply loved her family and treasured her role as a grandmother.
Marilyn was a dedicated business owner whose work reflected her care for others and commitment to those she served. After her time as a realtor, she spent more than 35 years as a daycare owner, helping raise and care for more than 150 children. Through her work, she created a nurturing environment and left a lasting impact on countless families. She especially loved being part of life in Lawrence and found joy in the relationships she built there over the years.
She is survived by her son, Seth Hinkle, and her beloved grandchildren, Saylor and Marigold Hinkle. She is also survived by her siblings, Carolyn Caroll, Edward Everitt, Patricia Everitt, and Roy Everitt.
Marilyn will be remembered for her presence in the lives of those around her and the care she extended to her family and community.
Marilyn, I love the time we spent together for many many years! I am missing you now.
It has been difficult watching your health struggles and amazing to watch the strength of will that kept you moving through the days. You surrounded yourself with wonderful caregivers with Visiting Nurses and Hospice; Esther and Clara were delightful to see working with you. Your reliance on God was inspirational. Seth and your siblings were a constant source of love and support.
I will always recall your complete devotion to Seth and Cait and their beautiful children, Saylor and now Marigold. Your pure enjoyment being a grandma has been a gift to see. Thank you for the invitations to watch Saylor perform in the annual Dazzlers Christian Dance spring show. (I have the 2026 show on my calendar.) We got our grandchildren together one summer to play at the playground by my home; they were young enough to not care about the age difference. Precious memories.
From our beginning connection through our daycare homes and our interest in spirituality, gardening, nutritious foods and supplements, and raising our children until they left our homes, it has been a life time of friendship!!
Your annual garage sale, and the extra effort you went to preparing an amazing meal for us. There were so many Saturday trips to the Farmer’s Market and breakfast at The Roost; shopping at the Holiday Farmers Market and the Holiday Extravaganza at the Sports Pavilion. How many loaves of sourdough bread from Barker Cafe and Bakery did we share? I am a member of the Merc because we took so many classes there. You invited me to their annual dinner and you were my plus one at KU Endowment’s holiday party many years.
I remember the year you had me come to your yard to pick up “a couple of plants” from your yard for my own cleaned out garden space. I had to go home and get my pickup truck; the plants you dug up filled the bed of the truck!! I brought some of those plants to the home I am in now.
AJAK Acres Farmstand eggs – I will only pick up eggs for myself now.
I have been thankful to share friendship right through the day we had planned for us to get together again and I was to prepare the biscuits you had asked me to make. You were gone before I got there.
Thank you for the gift of your friendship!
By the way, Marilyn, I need some help identifying a couple of plants that are growing in my garden; they are mixed in with a plant you dug up from your front flower bed two summers ago and I don’t know what these “extra” plants are. Also, remind me, Marilyn, did I give you a bit of my homemade yogurt. It doesn’t taste as good as what you shared with me. What do I need to do to improve mine?
You are gone way too soon!! I am missing you.
I worked with Marilyn for years with the Child Food Program she was an amazing daycare provider and l loved visiting with her about politics and Jesus our Savior she was a great lady!! She will be missed. She always had a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Marilyn and I spent many days and evenings discussing the glories and mysteries of our God. She was a vibrant person who inspired lively conversations and interesting ideas. May the memory of Marilyn be a blessing to all who knew her.