Monday, February 2, 2026 5:32 am

STRAFFORD - Marilyn Roderick, 94 years old, of Strafford, NH passed away on January 29, 2026 at her home after a long and well lived life. She was born April 13, 1931 in Queens, NY to the late Mario and Eleanor Simboli. Marilyn spent her earlier years in the NYC area working in the city for Chemical Bank, to later be known as Chase Bank.

She would seasonally visit Strafford when her father worked as a swim instructor at Bow Lake. It was here that she met her husband, Frank Roderick. They made their home together at the Little Hill Farm on Rt 202A where Marilyn learned to live and love life in a small New Hampshire town.

Marilyn was very active, well known and admired in her community from her earliest days. She was a member of the Strafford Women's Club, holding the office of Treasurer for many years. She also served as the Town of Strafford Tax Collector and later was elected Supervisor of the Check List through multiple terms. It is likely that her most cherished contribution was to the town's Hill Library where she first volunteered and then was employed for many years. She was an avid reader, a competent cataloguer and enjoyed time spent with colleagues and patrons. She reluctantly "retired" from her position early last year when her physical health would no longer cooperate with her spirit and drive.

Marilyn also spent her years walking her fields and caring for her large property filled with peach and pear trees, lilies, lilacs, kerria and her most loved peonies. She loved animals, especially dogs, whether her own Meg, Mandy or Missy, or visiting paws.

Marilyn was a consummate hostess who made friends and family feel welcome and special, creating cherished memories from these shared times.

Marilyn leaves behind a loved and loving family: her sister Eleanor Watson, Charlotte Schrader (Arthur), a handful of nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, and her granddaughter in law, Christiane McAllister and her daughter, with whom she shared a caring and close relationship through life's years until her passing. She was predeceased by her husband Frank, her later in life companion Lauris Brown and her brother in law John Watson.