Marilyn Katherine Clarkson, age 83, of Townsend DE, passed away Wednesday May 25th, 2016. Marilyn lived a long happy life with her husband John J. Clarkson, the love she always kept close to her heart, even after his passing. She was born on December 17, 1932 in Philadelphia Hospital, Philadelphia PA to Merrill Benjamin Gager (Mouse) and Mary Regina O'Brien (Maisie) who she reunites with in heaven.

In her early years, Marilyn and her two sisters, Barbara and Esther, moved to grand mom O'Brien's on a farm in Millville, NJ. She was very devoted to her family and friends and was loved by everyone. She was a strong, independent woman. Marilyn loved sewing, knitting, bingo, camping, cooking, and baking. She liked taking pictures and making sure everyone would get a copy, and was always the first to send out Christmas cards. She and Jackie always traveled – Oh, and her trips to the GOODWILL! She mostly liked to visit with her family and friends (Tuesday's was the trip to Poppy and Nanny's). Everyone would be there! Barbara, Esther, Mother Mary, Sally, Dolley, etc.! Someone different would pop in and out all day long - they were fun times!

She was preceded by her husband Jackie Clarkson, son Michael Clarkson, grand children William VonBirgelen, Charlotte, Adelyn and Juliette Pennington, Jock & Mary Vuocolo, Merrill Gager, Ami & Esther DiGiacomo, George Biello, Donna Marie Clarkson and Shirley Lyle Clarkson, plus many other family and friends.

She is survived by her sister Barbara Biello; brother Billy & Debbie Gager and sister Amber & Richard Bullock; her children John & Sherry Clarkson, Patricia & Ray Burns, Deborah Clarkson, Karen Clarkson, Daniel Clarkson, Christine & Raymond Colyar, Ronald & Maria Clarkson and Robert Clarkson; 20 grand-children; 28 great grand-children; 5 great, great grand-children; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 AM Friday, June 3, 2016 at St. Joseph's Parish, 371 E. Main St., Middletown, DE, where the family will receive friends at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at 1:00 PM at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, Delaware 19701.

After the services, Marilyn's Family would like everyone to return to the home of Christine and Ray Colyar for a small gathering @ 444 Flemings Landing Road, Townsend, DE 19734.

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna, DE