Marilyn Elizabeth Rowsey-Dirk, age 81 entered her eternal rest in the arms of Jesus on March 7, 2024, at Upstate University Hospital after a brief illness.

Marilyn was the only child born of her parents Harry Edward Rowsey and Helen Leona Dawson Plogger. Born in Lexington, Virginia, Marilyn moved to Oswego as a child and attended Oswego schools. There she met the love of her life; David and they were happily married for 49 years before his passing in 2011, seven months short of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Praising Jesus in all that she did was a part of her DNA. Marilyn served as a Deconess for many years with her church family, the Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Oswego. She participated in many mission trips through Meeting God Through Missions to the Dominican Republic, Mexico and here in the United States. Her heart for those in need was as wide as the ocean and as deep as Christ's love for all of us. Her infectious smile connected her to those she served, as a testimony of God's unending compassion and love.

Marilyn was an active participant in the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Lodema Strickland Tent #56 (Ontario, NY) and was past NYS president-elect of the DUVCW. She was an avid civil war reenactor, travelling to Gettysburg, PA annually for the Remembrance Day parade in November and participating in local living history events. She was often seen portraying Dr. Mary Edward Walker and Belle Boyd, a Confederate spy. Marilyn was also an avid genealogist, collecting family pictures, lore, and historical records to pass down to her grandchildren. She often thought of it as a treasure hunt and loved finding new cousins and stories to share. Marilyn enjoyed politics and was also an election inspector for many years for the Republican party.

In her spare time, she enjoyed watching WWE with her daughters Rebecca and Claudette and cheering on her favorite wrestler, Cody Rhodes. She was looking forward to seeing him at the WWE Road to WrestleMania on March 31. Sadly, she never made it to her first live wrestling match. Wrestling is only second to her love of the Boston Red Sox. She also enjoyed acting and singing and was cast as an extra in the movie REDD filmed at SUNY Oswego. She participated in many productions throughout the years with the Oswego Players. She enjoyed travelling in her spare time and was stationed with David in Germany with the US Army. Later in life, she enjoyed cruising with her family and friends and traveling and camping with her Christian Singles group, embarking on many adventures.

She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, David Lee Dirk and her sister, Donna Rowsey Floyd. She is survived by her four daughters, Samantha Golden, Rebecca Dirk, Claudette (Michael) Sharrow and Melinda (Gregory) Standish, brothers Gary (Lisa) Rowsey and Ricky (Leeta) Rowsey, as well as seven grandchildren: Jared Golden, Brittani Boyer, Chase (Jamie) Golden, Alexander Munger, Tristen Munger, Carson Golden and Hunter Kaplan as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be from 11AM to 1PM Saturday March 16th at Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home, 112 E Second Street, Oswego, with a religious service following calling hours at 1PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS), the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation in Marilyn's name. The burial will be at Riverside Cemetery at a later date, where she will join her "Shatzy" in eternal rest. As Marilyn would say, "Bye for now" until we meet again.