Marilyn Mekdeci's Obituary
Marilyn Elizabeth Mekdeci nee Outridge, 74, passed away on Friday, May 27, 2022 at her home in Homestead, Florida. Marilyn was born on January 23, 1948 in Georgetown, Guyana (British Guiana at that time). She moved to Trinidad as a young child with her parents and older brother and attended Holy Name Convent. At age 11, she went to England to attend boarding school where she completed her high school education. The outgoing blonde from early on, she got into much mischief and made many lifelong friends in both Trinidad and England.
She returned to Guyana in 1966 where she fell in love and married Anthony (Tony) Mekdeci in 1967. They had a daughter in 1968 and a son in 1969. Marilyn and Tony and the children moved to Tampa, Florida from 1978 – 1981 but then returned to Guyana. As the children grew, Marilyn found other pursuits to keep her busy including starting a tour company with a friend and being involved with the development of the tourism association in Guyana.
Marilyn and Tony divorced in 1994 and she moved to Barbados to be closer to her elderly parents, who she lovingly cared for until their passing. Marilyn loved the beach and the ocean and her friendly, outgoing personality found a home on an island dedicated to hospitality and tourism. As always, her fun-loving nature quickly gained her many new friends and she became known the island over as the ‘barefoot blonde’.
Her parents passed away in 1997 and 2001 and in 2006, Marilyn moved to Homestead, Florida where she lived with her son and helped to raise her granddaughter. Marilyn was diagnosed with cancer in September 2021. She underwent treatment with the same carefree, positive attitude that she brought to everything in life. She put up a good fight for the past 8 months and ultimately passed away peacefully at home with her close family by her side.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Allan S. Outridge and Gwendolyn M. Outridge nee Pacheco; and her brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Ruth Outridge. She is survived by her daughter, Christine Santamarina (George) and her son, Brian Mekdeci; Her grandsons, Robert, Richard, Matthew and Michael Santamarina; her granddaughter, Alaina Mekdeci; her nephews and niece, Mark, Richard and Jayne Outridge; and other extended family and close friends too numerous to name.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at 3 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 106 SE 1st Drive, Homestead, FL 33030.
In accordance with Marilyn’s wishes, there will not be a viewing/visitation. There will also not be a burial; she will be cremated and returned to her beloved Barbados at a later date
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