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.
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 clicking on one of the following logos:
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.
