MARILYN HENDERSON

was born on August 5, 1932, to Wilkie and Cap Postlewate, in Nevins, Illinois, and died peacefully at home on October 13, 2021, in Little Rock, Ark.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Jack.

She is survived by her five daughters, Carola, Anna, Martha, Michele, Margaret Glasgow; five grandchildren, Nathan Sorensen (Sarah), Jeremy Glasgow, Savannah Valibaba (Josh), Audra Larsen (Blake), Asa Stone; six great-grandchildren, Hailey Sorensen, Emma Sorensen, Julie Glasgow, Zoie Hogan, Jacie Glasgow, Mason Glasgow; and one bonus great-grandson, Jordan Watson. Other survivors are her siblings, Jerry Postlewate (Jan), Jeanne Shepherd; and sister-in-law, Lucy Postlewate. Mom, Momma, Sissy, Mari Jo, Aunt Jo, Jo, Joie, Granny, Gigi, Mamason was also survived by countless family and friends who adopted her as their surrogate mother; an honor she embraced wholeheartedly.

Mom began her nursing career at the age of 12 as a nursing assistant in a time when women were nurses and men were doctors. Mom became passionate about nursing and nursing education, which lead her to complete nursing school in 1957, graduating with the first class of the University of Arkansas School of Nursing, now known as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Nursing. Mom had stories about moving patients into the newly built University Hospital in 1956 as she was completing clinicals. Fast forward to 1970, where the newly divorced mother made the decision to continue her education to be able to provide for her five daughters. She received her Master of Nursing from Emory University in 1971 and accepted a position at Northeast Louisiana School of Nursing, now known as University of Louisiana at Monroe Mc Gree School of Nursing. Mom and her girls enjoyed a nice almost four years in Monroe, until her boss decided to change her duties. When Mom explained how unfair he was being, the man replied, “You are a divorced woman with five daughters. What are you going to do? You don’t have a choice other than to stay here and take it.” Mom quit on the spot, quickly secured a position with the UAMS CON in Little Rock and never looked back!

Mom stayed with UAMS for several years before transferring to the McClellan Memorial Veteran’s Hospital Nursing Education Department, also in Little Rock. It was obvious to anyone who met Mom that she was extremely intelligent and interested in everything! Mom would read anything and tell you about it. Are you looking for a particular thing? Mom could tell you where to get it, probably on sale, because she never paid full price for anything. Jeanne said you better take lunch and a bed roll if you go to a museum with her!

There aren’t enough pages in the world to tell you how Mom touched countless lives, both personally and professionally. To honor Mom, we challenge you to get your education first and foremost; then live life to the fullest while serving others to the best of your capacity. Pay it forward when you get the chance. Be bold enough to stand up for yourself and smart enough to prove your stance. Her five girls are shining examples of her principles, as stated by Savannah’s husband, Josh, ‘You were raised by too many independent women.’ Thank you, Lord, for that!

Services for Mom will be on Saturday, October 23, 2020, at 2 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13901 Quail Creek Rd, Little Rock, Ark., 72210. We will hold a brief service in the chapel, followed by reminiscing and refreshments in the Cultural Hall. Mom loved flowers, so don’t think she would not want some now. But, if you are so inclined, Mom suggested memorials to UAMS College of Nursing or Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.