Marilyn Louise (Collins) Pauley

On Thursday, May 16, 2019  Marilyn Louise (Collins) Pauley, loving wife, mother and devoted Nana passed away at the age of 77.

Born on January 7, 1942 in Salem, Massachusetts, Marilyn was the youngest child of Henry and Delia (Sullivan) Collins.  She grew up in a loving home, adoring her sisters with whom she shared a fierce lifelong bond.  She earned both her undergraduate (1963) and Master’s degree (1968) in education from Salem State University. Following the path of her mother and sisters, she started her career as a third grade teacher at the Kiley School in Peabody.  On August 10, 1968 she married David Pauley of Danvers. Together they raised two daughters, Jennifer and Elizabeth, and a son, Christopher, in Ipswich, where they resided for over 45 years.

In 1981 Marilyn joined the staff of the Ipswich Public Library, where she would spend thirty one years in a career that she loved, serving as the Children’s Librarian.  She was able to share her passion for reading through weekly Story Hours, welcoming all with songs and stories. For years, children could be heard chanting in the Children’s Room with Mrs. Pauley: Read: Read: Read, Let’s Read!  She thrived on being able to introduce generations of children (or anyone) to the joy of reading. Marilyn loved the view from her seat at the distribution desk, where she could watch the children of Ipswich grow while always keeping up with the comings and goings in town. 

Marilyn had a terrific sense of humor and a quick wit; she loved telling and hearing a good story.  She was known for her one-liners, and was always ready to laugh.  Small in stature, Marilyn was a force.  Active in civic and town life, Marilyn belonged to many groups within the Ipswich community. She was always ready to reach out and help. Her belief was “anyone can help in any small way”.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Delia Collins, as well as her two sisters: Barbara Collins Gleason Dolan and Suzanne Collins Curran. She is survived by her husband of fifty years, David Pauley of Ipswich, a daughter Jennifer Kennally, her husband Vincent Kennally, their children Henry and Colleen Kennally of Franklin; a daughter Elizabeth Pauley and her partner, Andrew Still, of Dorchester; a son, Christopher Pauley, his wife, Carla (Hiresh) Pauley of Sherman Oaks, California, their two sons, Atticus and Beckett Pauley; a sister, Jean Hull and her husband Robert Hull, and many beloved niece and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at Morris Funeral Home on 45 North Main Street in Ipswich on Monday, May 20 from 5:00– 8:00 p.m.  A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Hope  54 Linebrook Road in Ipswich on Tuesday, May 21  at 10:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mrs Pauley’s name to the Friends of the Ipswich Public Library (c/o The Ipswich Public Library, 25 North Main Street, Ipswich, MA 01938).  To send a condolence to the Pauley family please go to:  MorrisFH.com .

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