Marilyn Ava Landry, 88, cherished wife, mother and grandmother, died peacefully at Miles Hospital on Dec. 17, 2016 as her loving daughter Lisa sang to her "You Are My Sunshine," which was Marilyn and Lou’s extra special song.

Marilyn was a lifelong native of Ocean Point, Maine where she was born in their family home on October 23, 1928 to Eleanor and Henry Flint. She was the youngest of the four sisters, Arlene, Lucy, Cynthia and Marilyn and they were fondly known as the “Flint Girls of Ocean Point.”

She married Lou Landry of Westbrook on Nov. 27, 1954 and this year they happily celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary together with lots of love, laughter and smiles. Sixty-two years of marriage blessed them with five children, Bill, Linda, Karen, Lisa and Tom, and five grandchildren, Anna, Hal, Alexis, Dalton and Katherine.

Marilyn was the most kind, sweet, loving, caring mother any child could ever wish for. She always put her children first and she was truly adored by all for her easy-going, cheerful, upbeat, giggling personality! Being adorable, cute and funny was part of her magical “motherly charm” that drew many neighborhood kids to adopt her as their second mom.When she worked summers at Smugglers Cove Motel and the Ocean Point Inn, the young adults that worked there, also adopted Marilyn as their summer mother.

As a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she was the heart and soul of the Landry family. She was a shining star at creating good old-fashioned, quality family time. She always worked hard to make holidays, birthdays and annual family lobster bakes delicious and memorable. During the years of raising her children, every Sunday she faithfully prepared big family dinners. Fun and laughter was always on the menu, playing board games and card games all day long! Hiding behind Marilyn’s gentle demeanor, was a very competitive rummy card player and she was the all-time champion of our household!

Marilyn loved to laugh and tell stories of her childhood and the fun and harmless mischief the East Boothbay gang would get into. She enjoyed collecting beach glass, admired Thomas Kinkade paintings, holding her faithful cat Pokey and laughing while watching "Keeping Up Appearances" and "The Beverly Hillbillies." Close to her precious heart was her favorite song, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and Elvis Presley Christmas music.

With her passion of writing in her travel journal, photography, lupines and lighthouses, together Marilyn and Lou enjoyed many road trips in their first RV, which Marilyn amusingly nicknamed “Miss Plum.” Miss Plum and the winding roads brought them to many breathtaking destinations throughout New England, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and to the blue icebergs of Labrador.

Marilyn was fascinated by the majestic beauty of lighthouses and enjoyed her collection of lighthouse knickknacks and paintings in her home. Together, with her husband, she explored many lighthouses up and down the coast including West Quoddy, her favorite. To her family, Marilyn will always be the “bright and shining lighthouse” in our hearts and in our memories.

She will be sadly missed by her loving family. Her husband Louis Landry of Ocean Point; son, William Landry and wife Patricia of Kennebunk; daughter, Linda Landry Spang and husband Austin of Hopkinton, Massachusetts; daughter, Karen Landry McIlwain and husband Scott of Portland; daughter, Lisa Landry of El Segundo, California; son, Thomas Landry and wife Bette of Boothbay. Her grandchildren, Anastacia Spang Southland and husband Peter; Hal Spang and wife Bridget; Alexis McIlwain, Dalton McIlwain and Katherine Landry. Her sister Lucy Marlowe of Boothbay Harbor and sister Cynthia McGuire of Scarborough.

A very special celebration of life for Marilyn will be held outside in June on the family’s property. Family and friends are welcomed to attend and the date will be announced in the Boothbay Register. Pastor Al Roberts, a valued friend of the family, will speak at the celebration and Marilyn’s daughter Lisa, will also share heartfelt words regarding their incredible, amazing and beloved mother.