In loving memory of Marilyn Doudt

Marilyn K. Doudt, 54, passed away
on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at her
home in Highland Village, Texas.


She was born on June 16, 1952 in
Hillsdale, Michigan, the daughter of
Norris Emmet and Mary Louise
(Wisner) Richards. Up until her illness
she was instrumental and very active
with Airedale Terrier Rescue. She was
also employed at the Athletic
Warehouse in Lewisville, Texas.


She is survived by her husband, Don
Doudt; mother, Mary Richards; and
four brothers: Larry Richards, Jerry
Richards, Tom Richards and Bill
Evans. She is also survived by a host
of other extended family and close
friends in Michigan.

 


I am not sure whom to blame for getting Marilyn involved in Airedale Rescue. Becky Preston adopted Penny to Marilyn and Don. Penny was a very difficult-to-place female Airedale that had real aggression problems. Penny's life was transformed by the love and attention Marilyn and Don provided.

When I was still in Texas and desperate for help with rescue, Becky gave me Marilyn's name. That was the beginning of our friendship and the addition of a most devoted, caring individual to Airedale Rescue. Marilyn always put the welfare of the dog first. But she was more to me than a rescue comrade. On the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer Marilyn was the first person I called. I knew she had been down this road and would understand. She was a constant, loving source of support.

What Marilyn said about Penny when she crossed the Rainbow Bridge applies to Marilyn as well. Marilyn said:

    "We will miss our baby aka Princess Penny, but know she is no longer suffering or in pain. Penny put up a courageous fight, but in the end couldn't fight the infection that was in her lungs.

    Goodbye Princess. We miss you and know there will never be another one like you."


Marilyn had been fighting the spread of cancer for a long time. But she continued to help Airedales despite all the tests, clinical trials, the pain and the medication side effects. Her Airedale like tenacity had her fighting the disease with all her might. Marilyn displayed incredible courage in the face of a devastating illness and she set a magnificent example to anyone facing life-threatening illness.

Marilyn, like Penny her beloved Airedale, put up a courageous fight. Her devotion to Airedales in need was unparalleled and she will be missed throughout the rescue community but particularly by those of us whose lives she touched.

Dorothy Dunn Duff


Marilyn was an incredible and unique lady. That feisty little gal had an energy level that was only exceeded by her passion for the mission of Airedale Rescue. She always went to whatever measures were necessary to protect the sick , needy , homeless and abandoned dogs that found their way into Airedale Rescue. She felt personally responsible for them and always ensured that each and every one of them was properly taken care of from the moment they came into Rescue until the time they were placed in their forever homes. I always was amazed how so many of these dogs would be placed in the perfect home for both the family and the dog. She had a real talent for facilitating that perfect match. The evidence of this was the extremely low percentage of dogs that had to come back to Rescue because of a family / dog pairing that did not work. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have Marilyn as a dear friend and will miss her as I am sure many others will also.

Jack Brittan


Read more tributes at the Online Memorial for Marilyn.


Thank you to the following for Donations to National Airedale Rescue, Inc., in Memory of Marilyn Doudt
    • Rita Ferrer - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
    • Christine Sheffer - In Memory of Marilyn
    • Joey Warren - In honor of Marilyn Doudt and all the work she did for Rescue
    • Mary Harty - In memory of Marilyn Doudt, a tireless worker for Rescue
    • Rusty LaFrance - In honor of Marilyn Doudt
    • Barbara Curtiss - In memory of Marilyn Doudt
    • Dorothy Duff - Marilyn, you are so missed
    • Charles Dee - In memory of Marilyn Doudt
    • This is in Memory of Marilyn Doudt
As angel and Airedales keep their watch up there
Please God, just let Marilyn be aware
That we down here do not forget,
How loved she was and how many Airedales are
forever in her debt.

Jeanne Combo & the Desert 'dales
Lilly & Sam
  • Shahna Rice - In memory of Marilyn Doudt she inspired many of us on the BCMets list and she will truly be missed. :-(
  • John and Lynn Brittan - In Loving memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Deanna and Hugh Perkins - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Cathy and Neal Herrick - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Evelyn Burgess - In Loving Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Ronna Miller - In Loving Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Larry and Greta Richards - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt, my husband's dear sister, who left us far too young, but with a wonderful legacy.
  • Glen and Sheri Nakagawa - In Loving Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Marjorie and Brian Harrigan - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Aunt Dottie & Jim - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Jody Brittan - In honor of Marilyn Doudt ~ an angel to Rescue and to all who knew her.
  • Rebecca Murfin - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Highland Village Women's Club - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Fred & Anita Fifer - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Connie Meyers - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Robert Walter - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Robert & Reina Schlager - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Russel & Belinda Shaffer - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Wendy Armstrong - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Gloria Gripman - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt, a dear friend
  • Bob and Becky Bender - In Memory and Honor of Marilyn Doudt
  • George and Margaret Surdu - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Jim and Sandy Risner - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Mr & Mrs Rodney Beach and Theresa Beach - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Rebecca Bucher & Stan Lemko - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Gary & Connie Karney - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Ruth D. Hill - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Sharlene Redding Jones - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Nancy Buggs - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Dr. Paul and Patty Blount - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Ken & Robyn McClellan - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Wendell & Rita Clark - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Glenn & Jill Richards - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Walt & Jean Drake - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • John & Bonnie Monroe - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • MeLina & Chris Clabaugh - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Burdett and Phyllis Jackson - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Bob, Diane, Steve, Shelley, Randy, Connie, Scott, Linda, Lisa, Jesse and families - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt
  • Tracie & Todd Richards - In Memory of Marilyn Doudt

If you would like to make a donation to National Airedale Rescue, Inc., in Marilyn's memory,
you can use your credit card or PayPal account by going to our donate page.


You can send a check to:

     National Airedale Rescue
     c/o Rusty LaFrance, Treasurer
     8524 Maggie Ave.
     Las Vegas, NV 89143

You can make a donation in Marilyn's memory to:

Cancer Foundation For Life
Box 8257
Tyler, TX 75711

Dr. Osborne, Marilyn's oncologist, is doing research with this group to determine how exercise impacts breast cancer.


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