Marion Wilbur

Marion Wilbur, 92, of Cary, NC passed away on Monday, August 28, 2023. Marion was born to Ardys and Alonzo Hatch and predeceased by her beloved husband of 53 years, Paul Wilbur. She is survived by three children, David Wilbur of California, Diana Belles and husband Gregory of North Carolina, and Donna Wilbur of Virginia, six grandchildren, Sarah, Theodore, and Nathaniel Belles, Emma and Joseph Schirmer, and Colleen Cabral, and two grand-cats, Gigabyte and Ranger Rick. There was nothing more important to her than photos of cherished times with her family.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, she was a city girl who quickly became an Adirondack woman after meeting the love of her life, Paul Wilbur. Marion spent her later years split between Cary, NC and Lake Pleasant, NY. She was a graduate of the University of Southern California, received her master’s degree from Oswego State, and served as an elementary reading teacher. An avid reader, Marion struggled to put down good books. This infectious passion grew into her advocacy and volunteering for the Lake Pleasant Public Library. Marion also loved to tell a good story and was known for saying, “now that’s an interesting story.” Music was a passion woven throughout her life too. She studied violin as a child, loved to sing in harmony, and began piano lessons at the age of 85.

Marion never knew a stranger and lived life to the fullest. She and Paul were always up for an adventure including moving to Germany with three young children. In retirement she and Paul enjoyed traveling to elder hostels around the world. She earned her pilots license at age 60. She enjoyed giving tours of the Sacandaga River Community Park Pathway and was meticulous about ensuring each sign was in the right place.

Calling Marion a Disney-fanatic would be an understatement. She rode her favorite ride, Space Mountain, well into her nineties. Marion was a competitive card and board game player, a theater and symphony enthusiast, an outdoorswoman who loved to ski, fish, and hunt, and an animal lover who treasured having a cat on her lap. She was a passionate bread baker and finely honed her homemade pickle recipe. To Marion, a meal was not complete without a hot cookie or a bowl of ice cream.

Marion’s faith was important to her. She Zoomed into her Sunday School class weekly, rang handbells in First UMC- Cary’s handbell choir, and crocheted prayer squares with her Prayer Shawl Ministry. Marion’s favorite view was looking upon Sacandaga Lake from her picture window. She never lost her sense of awe in the beauty of God’s creation, marveling at how every sunset was unique.

Marion will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A Celebration of Life service will be held next summer in the Adirondacks.

In lieu of flowers and food, please send check donations in memorial to:

First Cary Food Distribution:
First Cary UMC
117 S. Academy Street
Cary NC 27511,
Memo Line: "Food Pantry in memorial of Marion Wilbur"

Lake Pleasant Public Library:
Lake Pleasant Public Library
2864 State Route 8
Speculator, NY 12164
Memo Line: "Given in memorial of Marion Wilbur"