Marilyn Jean Grant, 90, of Helena died at home on October 28, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. She was born March 5th 1932 in Bozeman to Harry M. Grant and Olive E. Grant. She moved with her family to Billings and then Minot, North Dakota, where her “wonder years” were spent. She graduated from Minot High with honors and attended Minot Teachers College, Macalester in St. Paul Minnesota and graduated from Ohio University with a BA in Journalism. She married Josiah S. Dilley during her senior year of college. Together they raised 3 children settling in Madison, Wisconsin. Marilyn was a loving mother, grandmother, and accomplished journalist, editor and author. She cared deeply about helping others, being a good friend, preserving nature, and loved all animals.
In the early 1970’s Marilyn earned a MA in Journalism at U. Wisconsin, Madison. Marilyn enjoyed a 20 year career as a journalist, editor, and author. She began as an associate editor for the Wisconsin Historical Society and then worked for the Montana Historical Society, until her retirement in 1995. Marilyn was passionate about writing, editing, and Montana history. She spent months commuting to Virginia City writing a book on the booming mining history and eventual preservation as a ghost town. She taught a class at Carroll College on writing one’s life story. She loved her work, and was always eager to edit a manuscript or help out a fellow author. After retirement Marilyn devoted much of her time to her second love, border collies! She trained her dog, Baillie, to become a pet therapy animal volunteering in the R.E.A.D (reading education assistance dogs) program. This program improves literacy and communication skills of children in several East Helena and Helena Elementary schools. Baillie was also trained to be an emotional support dog and took Marilyn to Shodair Children’s Hospital. Marilyn also donated her organizational and writing skills to the Prickly Pear Land Trust and St. Paul’s Methodist Church.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, her brother Jim Grant and wife Carol, and close friend, Bill Koch. She is survived by her 3 children, Beth Dilley and husband Craig Kesselheim of Southwest Harbor, Maine, Grant Dilley and wife Debbie Gaffney Dilley of Middleton, Wisconsin, and Karen Jo Dilley and husband Richard Thomas of St. Petersburg, Florida. Marilyn loved hiking, nature, travel, and spending time with her family. She was blessed to have 6 grandchildren, Robbin, Merlin, Colton, Lauren, Brittany and Sadie, and 1 great grandson, Astro. She is also survived by 2 special nephews, Bob Grant and wife Joan from Comanche, Iowa, and Mark Grant and wife Dawn from Bigfork, Minnesota, cousins Gerry Higgins of Bozeman, Montana, Jim Ennis of Seattle, Washington and Matt Ennis and wife Sharie of Everett, Washington.
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will take place at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Helena on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Prickly Pear Land Trust and/or Community Outreach at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Helena.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 22, 2023
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 22, 2023
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Martha Kohl says
I had the great pleasure of working with Marilyn at the Montana Historical Society. She was a fabulous editor and a wonderful colleague. My heart goes out to her family.
Wanda Rumley says
I knew Marilyn through the READ Dog program. For several years, she and Baillie read with my 3rd grade class at Bryant Elementary School. The students and I were so lucky! Their visits were the highlight of the week. An amazing woman! She will be missed by many.
Sadie Thomas says
She was such an amazing grandma, always loved to joke around with me and loved to listen to me about my day, week, month, or year. She loved to make me smile and loved to sit outside with me and go on little adventures with me, especially to Virginia City! She would sit down with me and have her wonderful companion Baillie read with me to help me gain confidence in the reading category. Spending every summer with her at her house and making memories wi be cherished, she will be missed deeply but friends and family. I love you grandma!
Tammy says
I worked with Marilyn at the Montana Historical Society from 1990-1995 and had the honor of attending the Western Heritage Awards in Oklahoma City with her in 1994 when “Montana The Magazine of Western History” and author Raphael Cristy received Wrangler awards for his magazine article on Charlie Russell. It was years later that we discovered that she also knew my in-laws while living in a small town in Minnesota. Marilyn was a fine lady and wonderful to work with. I’m sure she has left her family and friends with many great memories to hang on to. My condolences to you. I will never forget Marilyn.
Julie and Jack says
From Marilyn I learned to appreciate the beauty and majesty of Montana: while visiting a lake be sure to listen for the loons; to alway’s dress in layers due to changing weather conditions…and don’t forget to bring a hat; it’s important to move forward in life despite the usual (and unexpected) up’s and downs that may occur; she led hiking adventures– that often would be a challenge to keep up with her, however, the best views are always found at the TOP of a mountain; and finally, spending time with friends and family: on the deck, cocktails in hand, munching on snacks, watching for birds, deer, with lively conversations is what gave us all the greatest of happiness and joy!
We will miss you Marilyn.
Goose and Jan says
Marilyn, you are greatly missed and always loved…. Thank you for your inspiration, your wonderful sense of humor, your kindness and compassion and your endless love of adventure!
We are and always will be blessed to call you neighbor, teacher and friend!
We will always keep the lights on for you to find us!
I will miss our short trips together, our daily chats, and seeing you hiking home off the trail! We love you!
Peggy MOE says
While Marilyn and I are closely related, we didn’t meet until late in life. I really wish we could have spent more time together. She led an interesting life and I would have loved to hear more about my family history which is so integrated with the history of Montana. I will miss knowing her.
Joan Bird says
I met Marilyn in a St. Paul’s book group when Baillie was just a puppy, and we all watched Baillie grow up as Marilyn was training him with much patience. She graciously hosted us for many weeks in her comfortable home, and always had interesting comments on whatever we were reading. I loved her warm smile and had no idea what an amazing life she led. Wish I’d spent more time with her. We sat next to each other in church for years, and I always looked for her and a chance to share hugs and a little news. What a great life she lived, all the more of a hole she has left for her family and close friends. Blessings on Marilyn and those in mourning. May Peace be with you all.
Roberta Jones-Wallace says
I came to know Marilyn through work, and then thru friendship. She was a great patron of my artwork, and we had great fun talking over dinners and playing with Baillie, and later her adopted elderly cat. What an inspiring and remarkable woman.