Marilyn Elizabeth Hulburd, 86
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Marilyn Elizabeth (Leavitt) Hulburd of Mansfield, MA passed away peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2025. Marilyn was born on September 23, 1938 in the small town of North Troy, VT on the Canadian border as the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 faded. Her parents were Arnold O. Leavitt, a Weyerhaeuser foreman, and Ella Leavitt, a life-long educator.
Growing up in rural North Troy, Marilyn was involved in many activities including community variety shows, student leadership, cheerleading, and band, and frequently played Taps at burial ceremonies. The graduating class of 1954 dedicated their yearbook to Marilyn for her courage, cheerfulness, and inspiration in facing health challenges at a young age, traits that proved to serve her in years to come. After graduating at the top of her class of 16 from North Troy High School in 1956, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Earle Hulburd, on February 2, 1957. The couple resided in Burlington, VT for several years where she worked in a local insurance office before moving to Massachusetts in 1965 for greater opportunities. Despite her Massachusetts residency of 60 years, she always considered Vermont to be her home. Marilyn and Earle raised their family in Mansfield, MA where Marilyn worked in the Mansfield School System as an administrative assistant, first in the high school and later at the Park Row School and, finally, Roland Green. Those involved in the Mansfield schools might remember Marilyn as a spirited presence in the Office where she wore many hats. During the days of the neighborhood elementary schools when school staff and administrators frequently covered multiple buildings, Marilyn often doubled as school nurse or perhaps even principal. School vacations and summers were spent traveling and camping and included many summers in Dennis, MA. She loved her family, friends, nature, reading, music, and dancing among other things and always had a craft project going. She had a vivacious spirit and added the effervescence to many occasions with a twinkle in her eye. Upon retirement, Marilyn and Earle spent several winters in Punta Gorda, Florida, enjoying the Florida lifestyle, friends, and family visits. In her later years, she continued to be the loving and concerned Mother, always putting others first. Visits always began with “how are the [grand]kids and ended with “be careful on the roads!”
Marilyn leaves a loving family to cherish her memory: daughter Joanne Moore and husband, Joel, of Rocklin, CA and Englewood, FL and their son Max; daughter Jennifer Murray and husband, Thomas, of Norton and Dennis, MA and their children, Meghan, Catherine, and Thomas Matthew; and son Jack Hulburd and his wife, Catharine Wang, of Newton, MA and their three daughters, Julia, Ella, and Kate. Further, she leaves brothers-in-law, John Hulburd of South Durham, ME and Lloyd Hulburd of Weybridge, VT, and sister-in-law, Elaine Hulburd of Burlington, VT. She also leaves many nieces and nephews who remember her vivacious spirit.
Preceding Marilyn in death are her husband, Earle; her parents, Ella and Arnold Leavitt; her brothers David and Robert Leavitt and their wives, Laura and Colleen; a nephew Kim Leavitt; and a sister-in-law, Alice Barry.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to her many caregivers over the years.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a celebration of her life at the Sherman Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield on Sunday, February 9th from 1 to 3 pm. Interment in Colchester, VT is planned for a later date.
To share a condolence or a happy memory, please visit www.shermanjackson.com