Marilyn Geraldson
Marilyn Gail Geraldson died on September 20, 2016.
Known to her admiring audience as local television’s “The Veggie Lady”, Marilyn’s regular appearances taught many viewers the ins and outs of cooking and selecting the right produce throughout the year. She was also the author of her own popular cookbook, The Veggie Lady Shares, an assortment of recipes from her personal collections as well as those featured on her TV guest appearances. It went on to sell thousands of copies in multiple printings with the proceeds benefitting the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
Marilyn was born in Superior, Wi., on April 16, 1936 to the late Angus B. Rothwell and Florence Jones Rothwell. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stout with a degree in Home Economics and years later graduated with her Agricultural Degree from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. She spent many years serving the role of loving mother and devoted Navy wife in locations around the United States and abroad including Monte Ray, California, Newfoundland, Canada and the island of Guam. Marilyn served as the Hamilton County Agriculture Extension agent for over 20 years. During this time she promoted local Tennessee farmers and agricultural products to consumers in the Tennessee Valley area. In this capacity she went on to host her own weekly radio segment and write weekly newspaper columns. Marilyn is best known, however, for her regular Wednesday guest appearances on WRCB Channel 3 as the beloved “Veggie Lady”.
Marilyn was a long time member of Saint Johns United Methodist Church serving many roles and singing in the choir. She was also known to her friends and family as a talented seamstress, producing a wide array of clothes, linens and in later years handbags, monogramming and exquisite quilts and tapestries. She enjoyed sewing so much that she taught regular classes on sewing and quilting techniques. Marilyn was also a master gardener and loved planting and was an avid bird watcher.
Marilyn was preceded in death by the late Elmer Lee Geraldson, her husband of 57 years and retired Navy Commander, her brother William Rothwell, and her loving grandson, Joshua Steven Geraldson.
She is survived by her three children, Lee Geraldson of Chattanooga, Steve (Kathy) Geraldson of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Elizabeth (Paul) White of Ringgold, Georgia; grandchildren, Sarah Dixon, Aubree Bates, Alexis Bivens, Jessica Geraldson, Matthew Geraldson, and Riley White; sister Gene (Bill) Olsen of Charlotte, North Carolina; sister-in-law Phyllis Henriksen of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Appie Geraldson of Manitowoc, Wisconsin and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Saint Johns United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. following visitation.
Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort and to view the memorial tribute.