Marilee Boden Cavender

Cavender, Marilee Boden, passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 4th, 2016 at the age of 94. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Born in Springville, Tennessee, Marilee became an accomplished academic, attending the University of Tennessee where she first obtained a Bachelor of Science in Home Economic Education and later went on to earn a Masters degree of Science in Education and Major in Public Health Education, from the University of Tennessee where she graduated in 1952. Marilee had an impressive career in public health and safety and education with meaningful positions at the Tennessee Department of Public Health, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in Washington, D.C. Marilee also served on a Presidential Study Commission and National Commission on Product Safety in Washington, D.C. She became a published author responsible for writing and editing publications such as, “Action Programs for Accident Prevention in Tennessee” and “Program Planning in Health” both on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Public Health. Marilee was also a prominent radio commentator, as well as the editor of the monthly publication, “The Tennessee Public Health Safety Press” for nine years. In addition to her impressive career, Marilee was a loving wife and devoted mother and grandmother. She was married to her husband G.W. F. “Dutch” Cavender for more than fifty-six years. Together they had three daughters, Marian, Carole and Caye Cavender, each impressive and accomplished in their own right. Together Marilee and Dutch had seven grandchildren. Marilee was pre-deceased by her eldest daughter Marian and is survived by her daughters Carole and Caye as well as her seven grandchildren, Dutch and Michael Fox, Mary, John and James Witt, Hope and Mary Grace Hicks as well as sons in law Curwood Witt, Paul Hicks and granddaughter in law Leslie Fox. Marilee was an exceptional woman, who was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all. A reception will be held at Rose Mortuary on Thursday May 5th from 6-8pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in the memory of Marilee B. Cavender to the Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. On-line condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Marilee Boden Cavender

May 4, 2016