Marilyn Rodman Dies at 79; Philanthropist and Wife of Foxborough Business Owner

NOTE: The following obituary is courtesy of Brezniak Rodman Funeral Directors.

Marilyn Rodman, 79, of Canton, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and well-known philanthropist, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2013 at Orchard Cove in Canton. 

She was the beloved wife of Don Rodman, President of Rodman Ford Sales, Inc. of Foxborough, with whom she shared over 60 years of marriage.

Born in the Roxbury section of Boston, Marilyn was a longtime resident of Canton where she immersed herself in the community. She served on the Canton School Committee for 22 years working on many programs including the Blue Hills Collaborative, a program at the Blue Hills for special-education children, the “Mutual Concerns” school subcommittee, which helped mediate administrative problems, and the Canton Diversity program. 

Marilyn also helped create or promote the Employee Assistance program for Teachers, the Read-Aloud Program, the Academic Olympics, and the Canton Sports Foundation. She was passionate in her work with the Rodman Ride for Kids, the Marilyn Rodman Theatre for Kids which to date has sent over 50,000 inner city kids at risk to Broadway shows, and many other community based philanthropic endeavors. 

Marilyn was a member of the Canton Rotary Club, the Canton Fine Arts Council, the Canton Education Alliance, the Mass Art Education Committee, and was once named the “Friend of Education” by the Canton Teachers Association. 

In 2006, the town of Canton dedicated the Marilyn G. Rodman Educational and Administrative Center at Canton High School in honor of her selfless service and advocacy to the youth of Canton. 

She received many other awards and recognition for her philanthropy, including the prestigious Charles E. Rogerson Award for Community Service.  Above all else, Marilyn adored her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her legacy of service to others will long live through her beloved family.

In addition to her husband, Marilyn is survived by 5 sons, Gene Rodman of Braintree, Curtis Rodman and his wife Marsha of Canton, Craig Rodman and his wife Liz of Natick, Brett Rodman and his wife Tricia of Canton, and Bart Rodman of Braintree; 9 grandchildren, Sheryl and her husband Mike Wagner, Rachel and her husband Tommy MacDonald, Michael, Jayne and her husband Marko Imbergamo, Molly, Jordan, Lexi, Olivia, and Geno; and 3 great-grandchildren, Curtis, Clayton, and Leo.  She was the sister of the late Sandra Schlossberg whose husband Sy survives her.

Funeral service in Temple Beth Abraham, 1301 Washington St., Canton on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

The Rodman family will receive visitors at the temple on Sunday after the burial until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marilyn’s memory may be made to the Marilyn Rodman Theatre for Kids Program, 10 Lincoln Rd., Foxboro, MA 02035.