It is with a broken heart, yet with great joy that Marilyn Elizabeth O’Donnell went home to join Jesus!

As a young girl growing up in Niagara Falls, Marilyn worked in her mother’s soda shop and was a proud graduate of Stella Niagara in Lewiston, NY. These early years shaped her strong work ethic, deep faith, and lifelong love of people.

Her adventurous spirit blossomed after marrying the love of her life, Patrick, 64 years ago, as they moved throughout the United States and built a beautiful life together. Marilyns passion besides her family was always traveling, entertaining and bridge. She became a Life Master in bridge at a young age and competed in prestigious Blue-Ribbon Tournaments around the country, and later combing her love of bridge and traveling to teach bridge on cruise ships. As a travel agent, she explored all seven continents and more countries than can be counted. Marilyn always welcomed a new move as a new adventure, quickly joining the local Welcome Wagon, so that they could meet fun people that were interested in doing fun things. Marilyn embraced life and enjoyed every moment possible.

When Marilyn was diagnosed with brain cancer, she was given 20 months to live, she beat every expectation and lived another 22 years! Although, she was bedbound the last five years, she never complained and was always more concerned about others than herself. No matter what you shared with her, she always wanted to make you feel special and response was always, “I’m fine” and “That’s Wonderful”.

Above all Marilyn loved God, her family, and her friends. She was a devoted wife, a doting loving mother, and a joyful presence to all who knew her. Her optimism, kindness, and zest for life will forever be missed!

Marilyn was preceded in death by her mother, Alma Bruno; her father, Richard Murtagh; her sister, Rita Murtagh; her brothers-in-law, Cornelius O’Donnell, Brian O’Donnell, and William O’Donnell; her sister-in-law, Mary O’Donnell-Payne; and her brother-in-law, Fred Aydelotte.

She is survived by her loving husband, Patrick O’Donnell; her daughter, Michele O’Donnell; her son-in-law, Christopher Jurs; her brother, Frank Murtagh; her sisters-in-law, Janice O’Donnell, Alishia O’Donnell, Anne O’Donnell, Florence Brown, Christine Aydelotte; Sian Murtagh; her brother-in-law, Kevin Brown, Art Payne; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will take place on February 16, 2026, at 8:30am St. Timothy’s Catholic Church 1351 Paige Pl, Lady Lake, FL 32159 in The Villages, FL

A Celebration of Life to follow at 10:00am, The Savannah Center 1545 Buena Vista The Villages, FL 32162.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital https://www.stjude.org.