Marilyn Annette (nee: Eckert) Dargin, 78, passed away at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee, WI on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. She was born in Long Ashton, Bristol, England on December 7, 1945, to the late Irving and Ivy (nee: Blackmore) Eckert Jr., an American Soldier and English bride during WWII. Marilyn was the oldest of 3 children and on September 28, 1968, she married her high school sweetheart, Thomas E Dargin. She graduated from Lutheran High School in 1964, worked for Wisconsin Natural Gas Company for many years and was an owner in Sheepish, a health and wellness store in downtown Racine, for several years. She and Tom willingly became parents, taking in her niece Dawne (at age 12), becoming her legal guardian after Marilyn’s younger sister Judy passed away.

She and Tom enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada, taking many trips with her parents. With her love of flowers (especially lilies), she went on and studied floral design. She was active at her church, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Racine, for many years, loved singing in the church choir as well as solos/duos for weddings, and in fact could always be heard humming wherever she was, even in grocery store aisles. On Tuesdays, Marilyn was often found at Humble Park enjoying Tai Chi with others.

She loved her family and community, helping out wherever she could, whether it was at Lutheran High School’s Harvest Fair or reunion events, or baking special holiday cookies for families, friends and other events. She (and Tom) were gracious hosts often to relatives and friends who came to visit in Racine over the years. There wasn’t a loved one or stranger she wouldn’t help. She was kind and merry to everyone she met. She was also a dedicated caregiver for her mother-in-law, her father and especially her mother during their final years before their journey to Heaven.

Surviving her are her husband: Thomas Dargin; brother: Barry (Beth) Eckert; niece/daughter: Dawne (Jeff) Watts; niece: Kristin (Alan) Taylor; nephew: Michael (Kimberly) Pollock; grand-nieces: Sydney & Cassidy Pollock; grand-nephew: Drake Vaughn; aunts: Ruth Kersell and Gladys Cox of England; uncle: Eugene (Joan) Eckert; cousins: Jill Blackmore & Lyn Jeffries of England, Paul (Cecelia) Eckert, Andrew (Nancy) Eckert, Cynthia (Mike) Fehrenbach, Laurie (Dan) Senter, Jan (Toby) Kerr, Keith Kersell and Dale Kersell and numerous extended relatives throughout the USA and England.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents Irving and Ivy Eckert Jr., her sister Judy Mailand as well as her grandparents and in-laws.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1501 Erie St. in Racine, WI, Paster Gilbert presiding. Visitation will be from 10am-11am, with the service starting at 11am. A luncheon will take place at Infusino’s Italian Restaurant, 3225 Rapids Drive in Racine WI at 12:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to either Make a Wish Foundation, St. Jude’s, Wounded Warrior Project, Racine Lutheran High School or St. John’s Lutheran Church Choir.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the staff at Ascension All Saints Hospital Emergency room for their quick care when Marilyn came into the hospital, the Flight for Life crew for their care and speedy flight when they flew her to Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee where she received additional care. And, to the 5th floor CSM Hospital ICU staff Delanie, Kyle and Gabby along with everyone else on the team who cared for her – your caring nature, kindness and empathy shone through, and you truly are God’s angels on earth.