Marilyn June L'Heureux

Marilyn Cavender L’Heureux June 22, 1936 - August 26, 2023 of Prescott, Arizona. On August 26,

2023, Marilyn L’Heureux, loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and dear friend, died peacefully from a

recent cancer illness. Marilyn lived a blessed 87 years. Born in Middletown, New York, to George and Marion

Cavender, she enjoyed a wonderful childhood with her sister Phyllis along with cousins, aunts, and uncles who

filled their household. Marilyn graduated salutatorian of Middletown High School followed by two years at

Orange County Community College before transferring and graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of

Science Degree in Business Education from Albany State College in 1958. She was working as a high school

teacher in 1959, when she met the love of her life on a blind date, an electrical engineer from Nebraska named

Odell L’Heureux.

Odell and Marilyn were married on October 1, 1960, in Middletown, New York. From New York, Odell’s work

took them to Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and back to New York. In 1963, Marilyn, Odell, and their first two sons

moved west to Socorro, New Mexico, where they had three more children before relocating in 1969 to Sierra

Vista, Arizona. They bought a plot of land and personally designed and built a home that they resided in for over

50 years. They have many fond memories of friends and community in Sierra Vista.

Marilyn was very busy with their young family when she decided to commute to Tucson to attend graduate school

at University of Arizona where in 1975, she earned her Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis on

Counseling and Guidance. From 1975 to 1978 Marilyn taught part-time accounting, shorthand, secretarial skills,

business, and a Women in Management course at Cochise College. She became the Distributive Education Clubs

of America (DECA) teacher at Buena High School, worked for the Sierra Vista Parks and Recreation Department,

and went on to be a longtime School Counselor at Pueblo Del Sol and Town and Country Elementary Schools,

where she delighted in the students and teachers alike. In 1994/1995 Marilyn was named Educator of the Year for

Cochise County by Phi Delta Kappa. Marilyn retired from her beloved career in 1997, after which she enjoyed

travel, more volunteer work and spending precious time with her growing extended family.

Marilyn and Odell also found time to buy the local Baskin Robbins, where all their children, and their children’s

friends, scooped ice cream and decorated cakes from 1978 to 1980. Marilyn and Odell were both active volunteers

with Little League, St. Andrews Catholic Church, Volunteer Interfaith Caregiver Program (VICaP), Cochise

Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering, Sober Grad Night, and many other school and sports related activities.

Marilyn even found time to be a Cub Scout and Brownie Leader. The L’Heureux family also hosted countless

friendly backyard tennis competitions as well as a few infamous July 4th road rallies.

Marilyn was an exceptional daughter to her parents, taking care of her father and mother in her home from 2001

until their respective peaceful deaths in 2003 and 2007. Marilyn was a devoted wife, mom, and friend with a

limitless ability to listen. She made the L’Heureux home a wonderful, loving place to grow, learn, love, and launch

off into the world. One of her favorite sayings, displayed prominently in her home, was: “In a World Where You

Can Be Anything…Be Kind”. Her lifelong unwavering kindness was felt by everyone who knew her.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of nearly 63 years, five children, Odell Jr. (Danielle) of Scottsdale, Arizona,

Matt (Anne Kerr) of Kentfield, California, Jennifer Sweeney (Denis) of Folsom, California, Tim (Melissa) of

Tempe, Arizona, and Larry (Ashley) of Prescott, Arizona, and 13 grandchildren, as well as her sister Phyllis

Cavender of Tucson, Arizona. She also leaves behind many, many loving friends.

There will be a Memorial Mass for Marilyn on October 28, 2023, at 1:00pm at St Andrews Catholic Church, 800

Taylor Drive, Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Rest in Peace Sweetie, Mom, Grandma… we all love you and miss you very much!