Marilyn Belman

MARILYN (GIBSON) BELMAN

Iowa City

Marilyn (Gibson) Belman died Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at her home in Iowa City. A resident of Iowa City since 1974, Marilyn was born March 13, 1939, to Harvey and Arlene Gibson, in Earlville, Ill. She earned a B.A. at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., and an M.A. in English literature from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

In 1967, she was married to Lary Belman at her childhood farmhouse in Earlville, Ill. Together they had one daughter, Pamela (Belman) Mackinson.

No one who met Marilyn Belman forgot her kindness or her strength, nor her passion for social and political activism. Marilyn was tirelessly devoted to improving the lives of others, as evidenced through her work in the Peace Corps in Quito, Ecuador; her early leadership role in the Office of Economic Opportunity in Decatur, Ill.; her 30-some years as a public school teacher; and her work for disability rights in the Iowa City community. A self-avowed "political junkie," Marilyn practiced what she preached, she stayed informed of current events and was active whenever possible.

Marilyn showed her tremendous strength and tenacity through the years. In 1977, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a baseball, which doctors were able to successfully remove. Doctors warned that scar tissue and damage might prevent her from living a "normal" life, but Marilyn proved them wrong when she learned to how walk and talk again, and was back at work within the year. Through the years, Marilyn dealt with one medical challenge after another, each time defying all expectations.

Throughout her life, she displayed a sense of adventure. She traveled across South America in the 1960s with a friend; explored Europe in the VW hatchback with her husband; lived in Montreal, Quebec; traveled to Greece with friends; visited England with her family; and countless other travels across the United States and Canada. Marilyn loved to travel and loved to learn as much as she could about different cultures and different people. She had an innate and infectious curiosity about the world around her.

But perhaps the most noteworthy thing about Marilyn was how beloved she was by everyone she met. She was an exceptionally caring, positive, loving person. Her constant support and commitment to her husband, daughter and friends will never be forgotten.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Lary of Iowa City, their daughter, Pamela Mackinson (Brian) of Iowa City; a brother, Ronald "Ron" Gibson (Joan) of Naperville; and a brother-in-law, John Berke.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Glenn "Hoot" Gibson; and a sister-in-law, Madeline Berke.

A memorial service to celebrate Marilyn's life will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City, where the family will greet friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.