07/24/2023
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Marilyn.
Marilyn Ruth FitzSimmons-Mavity of Cunningham, KS left us for her rocking chair in heaven during the early morning hours of Sunday July 23rd, 2023. Marilyn was born on October 20th, 1944, to Harold and Vivian (Brady) DeWeese in Kingman, KS. She was raised on her parent’s farm southeast of Cunningham along with her 4 siblings, Dwane (Sue) DeWeese of Pratt, Dale (Janet) DeWeese of Cunningham, Jeanie (Eddie) Tharp of Pratt, and Ruth (Roy) Gamboa also of Pratt.
Marilyn was a 1962 graduate of Cunningham High School and received her master’s in early childhood education from Emporia State University. During her school years, Marilyn fell in love with her first husband, Lynn D. FitzSimmons. Following the wedding, Lynn and Marilyn lived in Pratt for a short time before moving to the FitzSimmons Homestead in eastern Pratt County where they farmed. From Lynn and Marilyn’s marriage came their three children, Dennis (Kristi) FitzSimmons - Pratt, KS; Leann (Robert) Barnes – Pratt, KS; and Barbara (Scott) Glenn of Arcadia, OK. In 1999, Marilyn married her second husband Jay F. Mavity and gained a second son, Mark (Maria) Mavity of Cunningham, KS. In the last decade, Marilyn and Jay adopted a 3rd son, Daniel Shea of Cunningham, KS.
Marilyn was a lifelong Cunningham resident and played many roles throughout her life. From the loving mother and grandmother her family will remember her as, to a prominent businesswoman. Marilyn taught kindergarten in Pratt briefly then ran a preschool out of her home on the farm during the 70’s and 80’s. She continued to hold every single one of her preschoolers dear to her heart. Marilyn was extremely active in the church her whole life, from teaching Sunday school, spearheading vacation bible school for decades, and leading adult bible studies in her later years. Marilyn and her husband Jay founded 4-C Childcare in Cunningham and the Cunningham Hands of Hope food bank ministry. Marilyn and Jay also played an extremely important role in starting the now defunct Civil Air Patrol Squadron at Cunningham High School.
Besides her family, Marilyn’s pride and joy was the FitzSimmons Insurance Agency she founded in 1987, on the back porch of the farmhouse. Thirty-five years later, she still ruled it with an iron fist from her recliner, even after passing it on to the next generation. Over the years, Marilyn greatly enjoyed talking with all her customers, adjusters, company reps, and underwriters, with many becoming life-long friends. She took great pleasure in protecting the livelihood of farmers across the state.
Marilyn was proceeded in death by her parents, husbands Lynn and Jay, her brother Dale, brother in-law Eddie Tharp, and beloved fury companions Albert and Eddie. Survivors include her children and spouses, Dennis, Kristi, Leann, Robert, Barbara, Scott, Mark, Maria, and Dan, and grandchildren Brandon, Spencer, and Jayden McNerny, Shelby FitzSimmons-Dirks, Kari FitzSimmons, Micheal and Tyler Glenn, and Jon and Jack Shaffer. Marilyn also had two very special great grandchildren Presley and Stetson Dirks, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Marilyn and her family would also like to mention her special “Crop Insurance Kids” Alan, Kendall, and Gerald whom she worked with for many years.
Visitation will be Friday July 28th at Larrison Mortuary in Pratt, with family present from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Services will be Saturday July 29th 10:00 AM at the Cunningham Christian Church, with Pastor Mike McGovney presiding. Burial and graveside services will follow at Maud Cemetery in rural Cunningham. Memorials may be made to the 4-C Child Care Center and West Kingman County Education Foundation Alumni Scholarship, in care of Larrison Mortuary.
