Marilyn Cessna 84, of Island, Kentucky passed away peacefully Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Riverside Care and Rehabilitation Center in Calhoun surrounded by her family. Marilyn Yvonne Graham was born March 15, 1940, in Owensboro, Kentucky to the late Major Theodore “Bud” Graham and Dorothy Bernadine Griffith Graham. By 6 months old, Marilyn was being raised in Island, Kentucky by her Aunt Irene Weightman, Uncle Aaron Weightman, and her great-grandmother Fairy “Mammie” Markwell. On May 27, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart, Adrain Lee Cessna, who preceded her in death on January 7, 2025.
Marilyn worked at General Electric in Owensboro for 29 years until a tragic motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver left her disabled in 1990. While at GE, Marilyn performed numerous jobs, served on the safety committee and was a proud member of the local union. A devoted worker, Marilyn was known for her strong work ethic.
When her children were young, she served as PTA president at Island Elementary School and was Team Mom and scorekeeper for her daughters’ softball team, coached by her son. Marilyn was proud of her hometown and committed to its preservation and success. She was a founding member of the Island Heritage Council and served as the groups’ President. She led the charge to save and preserve the Island Wooden Bridge and construction of the Island Wooden Bridge Park. She was a member of the Lady Elks Auxiliary and the Captain William Rowan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Marilyn also served as a city commissioner in Island for many years.
Marilyn loved her hometown of Island and was dedicated to researching, documenting and passing on the town’s history and the history of its residents. She was a diehard UK Basketball fan and loved hauling kids to softball games. She enjoyed genealogy, yard sales, estate sales, auctions and antiques. Marilyn and her husband enjoyed buying and restoring antique furniture. They also shared a love of gardening and canning. Marilyn loved flowers and tending her flower gardens. She was creative and enjoyed quilting and crafts. She also loved to cook, bake and entertain friends and family. Marilyn loved music and dancing. Most of all, Marilyn loved her husband, Adrain, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved them unconditionally.
In addition to her parents and husband, Adrain, Marilyn was proceeded in death by a son, Johnnie Lee Cessna; two granddaughters, Christina Nicole Conrad and Hollie Celeste Schindler; a brother, Donald Brown; and a sister, Carole Adams.
Survivors include her two daughters, Vicki Murphy (David) of Owensboro and Carol Boarman (Bill) of Whitesville; a daughter-in-law, Mary Cessna of Owensboro; four grandchildren, Jill Alteri (Chris) of Pleasant View, Utah, Cassie Brown (Brad) of Calhoun, Eric Hughes (Naomi) of Owensboro, and Adrian Cessna (Samantha) of Buttonsberry; ten great-grandchildren, Gracie Schindler of Livermore, Stewart Welch, Rilan Welch, Rowan Alteri and Ripley Alteri all of Pleasant View, Eli Brown, Silas Brown both of Calhoun, Brianna Thomas of Sullivan, Indiana, Morgan Hughes and Kendall Hughes both of Owensboro; a sister, Charli Graham (Dea) of Cahokia Heights, Illinois; and a special friend, Debra Best of Utica.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Muster Funeral Homes, Livermore Chapel with the Rev. Kevin Brantley officiating. Burial will be in the Island Community Cemetery in McLean County. Friends may visit with Marilyn’s family from 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Thursday at Musters in Livermore.
The Marilyn Cessna family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Island Community Development Association (in memo add: for Island Wooden Bridge Fund); P.O. Box 75; Island, Kentucky 42350.
Marilyn’s services will be streamed live on musterfuneralhomes.com at 3:00 P.M. Thursday.
Share your memories and photos of Marilyn at musterfuneralhomes.com.