WASHINGTON — Marilyn Sandra Davis, of Washington, Maine, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning just as the sun was rising, covering her body in its warm, golden glow, surrounded by her children on September 3, 2023, after a long battle with cancer.

Our amazing and loving mother was born on May 8, 1939, to Claude Rupert Akers and Marion Ivy Locke Akers of Springfield, Massachusetts. Later she attended The Springfield High School of Trade in 1958. In her early years after school Marilyn worked many different local jobs to support herself.

Marilyn later met and married her husband of 46 years, George Everett Davis in 1968, becoming a loving stepmother to 4 children. They would make their first home together in Southbury, Connecticut on beautiful Lake Zhoar. It was here that Marilyn’s daughter Sheree was born. The family decided to pull up roots and move to Maine in the winter of 1974 after George retired and take up farming. In 1978 Marilyn’s third child, a son named Scott, was born on Sheree’s 8th birthday!

All her life Marilyn loved spending time with her family and friends. Our mother thrived on her love for all her animals too. She encouraged and supported Sheree’s passion for all things horse, hauling her and her Stallion around the country to show in American Quarter Horse shows.

Marilyn supported Scott’s love for dogs, even purchasing and breeding Rottweilers together for a time. Mom’s favorite breed of dog was her beloved Scotty dogs of which she owned several throughout her life. Perhaps Mom was best known for her award-winning Maine Coon Cats, being one of the top breeders in the USA for many years. One time an Arabic prince sent his private Jet in the mid-1980s to buy her stunningly gorgeous green eyed, silver tabby female named “Platinum”. A Limo was sent to pick up the cat that was escorted by the Princes private attendant back to Saudi Arabia via private jet. Mom was the green thumb of the family. She could grow absolutely anything! Her entire home was always full of flowers and plants both indoors and outside.

Marilyn was also an artist, her love of working with oils and acrylics was evident when you entered her home. Her paintings won many local competitions and gained her some local notoriety. She instilled that love in her son, who also shares this wonderful gift.

Our mother was one of the strongest women we ever knew. All her life she endured numerous challenges and tragedies. At a very young age she was forced to give up her oldest daughter, Beth, for adoption. Marilyn lost a stepdaughter, Cindy Davis, who was serving in the Army at the time, to domestic violence. Marilyn barely escaped a house fire in late 2008 in which she lost her beloved Golden Stallion “Sonny” as well as her Scotty dog and other beloved pets. In 2010 mom received her first cancer diagnoses and by the time of her passing had 6 other types of cancers.

Mom was a survivor, a fierce warrior, she always kept smiling no matter what terrible things befell her and she passed on her fierce and quiet strength to her 3 children and many grand and great grandchildren.

Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, George Everett Davis; parents, Claude Rupert and Marion Ivy Locke Akers; siblings Larry Akers, Donna Everitt; and step daughter Cindy Davis.

She is survived by her children, Sheree G. Davis and her husband Tracy Cook of Union, Maine, her first born daughter, Beth Ann Survoy of Florida and all of her children and grandchildren, and son Scott Kevin Davis of Washington, Maine; siblings Sue and her husband Lenny Stratton of Corrinna, Maine, sister Norma Patrie of Palmer, Massachusetts, and brother Richard Akers of Phoenix, Arizona; granddaughters Mikeala Williams and her husband Brandon of Woolwich, Nicholle Morse and her husband Noah of Palermo, Maine. Great granddaughter Madison Williams was the newest addition to our family.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to an animal rescue or charity of your choosing. Services were private at the family’s request.

Hall Funeral Home had care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, light a candle for Marilyn or to share a picture or story, please visit Marilyn’s Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.