Marilyn Boots

Marilyn Boots was born in 1948 in Roswell, NM, to Ted and Dorothy Brooks (née Fitch). As a young girl living in Albuquerque, Marilyn grew a love for horses, roller skating, twirling, riding bikes, playing jacks, and games, and spent time as a Girl Scout. Marilyn’s father, Ted, was in the Air Force and moved the family around the world from Puerto Rico to Germany, so by the time Marilyn was a teen, she was already well-traveled and experienced many adventures across Europe (seeing the British Crown Jewels and eating gelato on the streets of Italy were two of her favorites). After various stateside postings, the Brooks family finally settled in Denton, TX, where Marilyn spent her high school years and met the love of her life, Dennis Boots, at church - where they first held hands under a hymnal!

Their first date was on Dennis’s birthday to the pancake supper fundraiser at Denton High School in 1965. Two years later, they were married. Dennis enlisted in the Army and served in Vietnam while Marilyn moved back to Denton for family support. She wrote letters to Dennis overseas – and didn’t get many in return, which gave her plenty of ammunition to tease Dennis with throughout their 59 years of marriage. Marilyn loved being a military officer’s wife and accompanied Dennis to Colorado Springs, where she welcomed their son, David.

After military life ended, they moved their little family back to Denton where Dennis joined his father’s carpentry business, with Marilyn handling the business’s books while also caring for their household. Her daughter, Kathryn, came along three years later. Ted was adamant his daughter would complete college, so while she raised two young children, Marilyn also earned her Bachelor’s of Library Science from Texas Woman’s University – a degree that fed her love of reading and eye for organization. During this time, she took David and Kathryn on frequent trips to the Emily Fowler Library. Due to her frequent moves as a child, raising her own children in a consistent and loving community was important to Marilyn, so Dennis built the house on Golden Circle in Denton that would be their home for 40 years. Once her kids entered grade school, Marilyn started working part-time at FEMA and later accepted a full-time position in the disaster preparedness division supporting the region’s nuclear power plants. Her attention to detail and organizational strengths led her to rise through government ranks at FEMA until her retirement after 28 years.

Throughout their marriage, Marilyn and Dennis loved to travel on what they called “Tubby & Nancy’s Great Adventure,” making it to 48 states and countless National Parks and completing two cross-country convoys in Dennis’s restored military Jeep, including a visit to the Arctic Circle.

Community was important to Marilyn, and that expanded to her hobbies and activities. Marilyn loved attending craft shows with her friends, working puzzles and playing games with friends and family, with spades and canasta being particular favorites, and was known to be a ruthless competitor. Her competitive spirit cultivated a love of sports, and she watched everything from golf to tennis to her beloved Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars (but if you asked her her favorite, she’d say college football). If there was a game on, you could bet Marilyn was watching – she knew all the game times, and Dennis would fondly call himself a “sports widower.” In addition to sports, Marilyn loved music, musicals, and going to the theater – a fondness she passed down to her children and granddaughters. The next time you visit the theater or watch the musical Cats, think of Marilyn.

Marilyn also had a heart for people and poured it and her crafting talents into making beautiful, handmade cards for friends and family. If you ever received one, you knew it was an outpouring of her love.

Throughout her life, Marilyn was well-loved and loved fiercely! She leaves behind a loving legacy and family: son, David Boots, wife Andrea and their children Abigail Beard (Ben), Madalene Boots and Elisabeth Boots; daughter Kathryn Boots; brother Brian Brooks (Kathy), sister Barbie Brooks; nieces and nephews, Megan Fischer (Blake), Sam Brooks (Katie), Mark Boots (Dianne), Andy Boots (Michelle), Rachel Torralba (Jose), Kierstin Montes (Frank) and many cousins and grand nieces and nephews. Brother in law, Dick Boots (JoAnn). Extended family Greg and Nancy Mobley, Eliza Mobley, Davis and Zee Mobley.

The Boots Family wishes to extend their many thanks to Concho Hearts Hospice for their kind support and care, especially Maria and Billy. In lieu of flowers, please read a bedtime story to a child and support your local library. The family will hold a private gathering to celebrate Marilyn’s life. Marilyn leaves behind a hole in our lives but many memories of love, happiness, and joy.