Marilyn M. Oates, a cherished member of the Williamsburg community, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on August 4, 2025, at her home in Virginia. Born on November 5, 1930, in Milford, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Margaret and Raymond Miller. Marilyn’s vibrant spirit was evident throughout her life, marked by joyful summers at the family beach cottage in Humarock Beach and winters spent skating on Hopedale Pond.
After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1948, Marilyn began her professional journey at a local electric utility. It was there that she met her future husband, Leo “Red” Oates, a former Marine. The couple married in 1951, beginning a partnership that would last for decades.
Marilyn was not only a devoted wife and mother but also a grandmother who embraced her family with love and enthusiasm. She had a passion for golf, enjoyed playing cards, and loved solving puzzles. Her commitment to her faith was evident through her 52 years as a parishioner at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg.
Marilyn is predeceased by her husband, Red, her sisters Marguerite and Grace, and her brother Bing. She is survived by her two children and their families: Patti Oates Martin, her husband Jon Martin, and grandson Connor Martin of Chicago; and Michael Oates, his wife Pam, along with granddaughters Riley Norville, Sarah Boyd, grandson Ben Oates, and great-grandchildren Robert J. Boyd II, Liam M. Boyd, and Perry Miller Norville, all residing in Jacksonville, Florida.
Funeral Arrangements and Memorial Contributions
A funeral Mass will take place at 12:00 PM on August 8, 2025, at St. Bede’s Catholic Church, located at 3686 Ironbound Road in Williamsburg. Following the service, a burial will occur as a final tribute to her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Williamsburg House of Mercy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of choice, reflecting Marilyn’s compassionate spirit and commitment to helping others.
Marilyn M. Oates leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and community engagement that will be remembered by all who knew her.
