Marilyn M. Edwards

Marilyn Mustacchia Edwards, 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Naples, Florida. Marilyn was the fourth child of six born to Nicholas and Catherine (DiGiovanni) Mustacchia on New Year’s Eve 1929 in Algiers (New Orleans) Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Marguerite Mustacchia and Helen (Al) Schroeder, and brothers Nicholas (Emily) and Ralph (Lorraine). Her sister, Doris (Pat) Chapoton and several nieces and nephews are remaining survivors.

Marilyn, Helen, and Doris attended Holy Name of Mary Catholic School in Algiers from 1st grade through high school graduation. Marilyn attended Pearl Nash Studio of Dance and specialized in tap dancing for many years, held a Teacher’s Certificate, and performed with the Studio Dancers at army and naval bases in and around New Orleans during WWII. After graduation from high school, she was employed by Louisiana Power & Light Company. In 1951, she met and married Robert Edwards. She is survived by her five children, Catherine (Jeffrey) Rain, Robert (Elaine) Edwards, Michael (Jeanie) Edwards, Susan (Greg) Holmes, and Mari Salley, four grandchildren, Jason (Kerie) Jeffery, Stacy (Jeff) Hoffman, Pierce (Stephanie) Brehm, and Colin (Karla) Brehm, and six great-grandchildren.      

The family moved to Tampa, FL, where they lived for 9 years, during which time Marilyn served as homeroom mother and president of the Mother’s Club at St. Patrick’s Catholic School. Marilyn and Bob also lived in Ft. Lauderdale (Plantation), FL for 30 years until 1998, when they decided Naples, FL, amidst good and caring friends and neighbors, was the place for them to retire. Bob passed away in 2013.

For 25 years, Marilyn also worked with Bob in their consulting firm, serving as Vice President, financial manager, and conference planner. With Bob and her family, she traveled across the United States as well as to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, Hawaii, and Canada.   

Marilyn always said all she ever wanted in life was to be a wife and mother. She was blessed to be both, as well as a talented businesswoman. She also was a creator of fantastic and memorable Christmases and holidays for her children, and a skilled fisherwoman, who organized and participated in family boating trips on Lake Okeechobee, the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea.  Above all, Marilyn managed her family and her household without missing a beat! She was a devoted mother, who gave the entirety of herself and her efforts to her children and family.  She will be deeply missed and will live forever in our hearts, never forgotten, and always remembered.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to the JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION or to the TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION would be appreciated by the family.