Marilyn “Lyn” Eastman Lichty, 87, of Apple Valley, Minn., and previously of Englewood, Fla., and Concord, N.H., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, of endometrial cancer and renal failure.

Lyn, daughter of Walter E. and Gertrude Eastman, was born and raised in New Hampshire, and lived most of her life in Concord, where she worked with New England Telephone & Telegraph Company as a telephone operator and customer service representative.

She met the love of her life, Don, at the beginning of World War II, when Don was in training for the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Service; they were married and enjoyed a 12-hour honeymoon in Newport, R.I., following which Don went off to sea until the war’s end. Their marriage of 69 years was a shining example for her sons and family. After retirement in 1987, she and Don retired to Englewood, where the Englewood United Methodist Church community and friends and neighbors at Lemon Bay Isles were major parts of their lives. One of their favorite interests was traveling, which they did extensively, covering all 50 states, Canada, many European countries, North Africa, the Holy Land, and many cruise ports of call in Mexico, the Caribbean and Alaska. They lived in Englewood until Don’s death in June 2012. In August 2012, Lyn relocated to Apple Valley, to be near the many, beloved Minnesota Lichtys. Lyn was a fun-loving, friendly person, who always left smiles wherever she went. She loved music, and always had a song on her lips; she played the flute in high school, and sang in many choirs and choral groups over the years. Lyn was a devoted and loving mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be remembered and missed by all who were fortunate enough to have had her be a part of their life.

Lyn is survived by her brother, Merle (Ruth); sons, Terry (Susan), Scott (Linda) and Kevin; grandchildren, Brandon, Marshall, Ross, Alex, Andrea, Stephanie, Kevin Jr. and Daniel; great-grandchildren; Morgan, Lauren, Everett, Lainey, Sophie, Oliver, Christopher John and Chloe; and by other loving relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald.

A memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. Memorial visitation is one hour prior to the service. She will be interred at Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to your favorite charity in memory of Marilyn E. Lichty; or to Smile Train via www.smiletrain.org.

Arrangements are by Jim White Funeral Home, Apple Valley.