Marilyn Joan Cartwright Meek

Marilyn Joan Cartwright Meek, 68, formerly of Cloquet and Saginaw, passed away in her Arlington, Washington home on Sunday, January 19, 2014. She was born in Cloquet in 1945 to Daniel and Verna Brendiar. Marilyn had an unconventional but charmed childhood, living in Greece, Spain, Rome, New York, and Port Clinton, Ohio, due to her fathers' employment with the Pentagon. She was previously married to Robert Cartwright and in 1993, Marilyn married Burl Meek. She had been employed as a bookkeeper for the Gas Company in Cloquet and at the Carlton County Courthouse. Marilyn also owned and managed rental property in Idaho. Marilyn enjoyed playing bunko, attending Bible study, stamping, Book Club and the New Club. Marilyn and Burl, recently moved to Washington to be closer to and help her daughter and grandson. Even though Marilyn had health problems, she was committed to helping her family in every way that she could. Marilyn valued life, love, and laughter. She was committed to her church, her Finnish heritage and to Sundays being "family days". Even though she lost her son, Daniel, when he was 17, Marilyn always found a bright spot through the difficulties, and her faith in God was always present. Her creativity, fun spirit and laughter, are her legacy that she has left behind in many special memories. She will be fondly remembered for her "blingy" style, which wouldn't work for anyone but her, and though she was a little lady, she was a big presence wherever she went. Marilyn is preceded in death by her son, Daniel Cartwright; parents; sister, Janet Bonderson; uncles, Roy and Wilho Johnson; aunt, Vienna Koski and her cousin, AnneMarie Kucera. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Burl Meek, of Arlington, WA; daughter, Colette Cartwright Dahl of Arlington, WA; grandson, Dustin Dahl; step-daughter, Lynn (Kevin) Ross of Bakersfield, CA; two step-grandsons, Wolfgang and Michael Ross; niece, Colleen (David) Schmid and their children, Cody, Cassie, and Grace Schmid of Maple Grove; and nephew, Ryan Wilson of Fridley. Funeral Services were held on Sunday, January 26, 2014 in Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet, followed by a luncheon in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery, Cloquet. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Mayo Clinic. To leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com