Marilyn Frances Dale, age 84, of Winchester, Virginia peacefully passed away on March 9, 2025. Born in Dubuque, Iowa on September 17, 1940 to Harold and Helen Higgins Galliart, Marilyn was preceded in death by her sister Marybelle Galliart, her parents, her brother “Will”ard Galliart, her husband Allen Dale, and her brother “Wes”ley Galliart. She is survived by her four children, Danya Dale, Jannica Pozuelos (Rafael), Andrew Dale (Frances Johnson), and Elizabeth Dale (Jen Swierk); as well as her five grandchildren: Beatrice, Alistair, Marta, Tabitha, and Lulu, all of whom brought her immense joy.

Following in the footsteps of her older brother Will, and with encouragement from her mother, and support from her Aunt “Mil”dred Norman, Marilyn was the first female in her direct line to pursue higher education. She earned money for schooling playing piano in a local Dubuque jazz bar. After attending University of Dubuque, Marilyn and her best friend, Christy, kicked off their independence by loading up a car, and drove to Alaska where after arriving, Marilyn secured her first professional job teaching High School English. She then discovered she wanted to pursue postgraduate study and obtained a Masters in Library Science at the University of Michigan. Marilyn continued adventurous travels with her college roommate Christy thru Europe. She met a determined Army Captain Allen Wray Dale in Fairbanks, Alaska and eventually accepted his “standing proposal of marriage”. The couple was joined on August 11, 1971, and sealed in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the following year. Marilyn hadn’t anticipated feeling so naturally right-at-home living in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for 14 years before the family settled in Winchester, Virginia in 1992.

Marilyn led a life marked by unwavering commitment to learning, dedication to developing her talents, and hard work. As an accomplished pianist, organist, and composer, she frequently shared her musical talent with her church community and family, including special pieces she composed for each of her four children. She also had a gift for writing and poetry. Marilyn loved to read and could finish a book faster than anyone around her. She enjoyed word puzzles and often played board games, which brought out a competitive side most people did not know she had. She found joy in making crafts, which decorated her home and those of her friends and acquaintances.

Marilyn’s favored outdoor activities included roller skating; talking up to 2 hour walks; spending time on a porch in a rocking chair as she took in the passersby, activities of neighborhood wildlife, watching the clouds roll by and any accompanying lightning, thunder, or rain. All her life she was fond of scenic country rides. They put her in mind of accompanying her father on leisurely Sunday drives, as well as the occasions she went with him on some of his routes working for Borden Ice Cream and making fruit company deliveries. Marilyn excelled at working with children. She regularly volunteered in her own children’s schools and retired after 20 years in the Children’s Department of the Handley Library to spend more time with her grandchildren.

In her final years, Marilyn faced the challenges of dementia but never lost her sense of humor or quick wit. She met these difficulties with compassion and gratitude for those who cared for her. She often spoke of her longing to reunite with her mother, with whom she had a special bond. Marilyn grew up on one of the stereotypical steep Dubuque streeted hills with clear sight of the Mississippi. She returned to her hometown to take care of her mother until she passed, and as the time neared for her own passing, wanted to return to Dubuque where memories of childhood were what she was able to most often recollect. Her father’s family owned the Galliart & Son Groceries at 531 Eighth Street in Downtown Dubuque. Her mother’s family ran a Higgins Barber Shop fronting Dehli Street and other west of Downtown Dubuque locations including 2196 University Avenue.

Marilyn’s legacy is one of patience, peacemaking, service, and kindness. Her family and friends will remember her gentle nature, forgiving heart, and deep commitment to her values and beliefs. May we rejoice in having known her, just as she is surely rejoicing with beloved family and friends on the other side of this earthly veil.

Marilyn will be laid to rest with her mother and other Higgins relatives at Harmony Cemetery in Zwingle, Iowa at a private family graveside ceremony at the close of this month. Her Galliart relatives are interned at Center Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Dubuque. Flowers are welcome, especially her favorite color pink, and can be sent via Leonard Funeral Home. If preferred, donations may be made in Marilyn’s honor to Samaritan’s Purse, Feed the Children, St Jude’s, or Salvation Army.