Marilyn Marie Fairbairn

Marilyn Marie Fairbairn, 93, of Edmond, Oklahoma and formerly of Garden City, Kansas passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, encompassed by her family. She was born in Great Bend, Kansas on December 3, 1930, the daughter of James N. and Ruby T. Blankenship. During her youth, she lived in Mankato, Kansas. As a high school freshman, she moved back to Great Bend and graduated from Great Bend High School.  She was active in several clubs and a member of the high school band.

Upon finishing high school, she attended her Freshman year at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. The following year she transferred to Kansas State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in the College of Human Ecology in 1952.  While in college she was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.  Upon graduation she taught at Miltonvale High School, Miltonvale, Kansas.

On June 14, 1953, she married her long-time sweetheart Leighton E. Fairbairn, DVM, in Great Bend, Kansas.  Leighton established a veterinarian practice in Kinsley, Kansas where she assisted her husband’s business as a technician and business manager for two years.  It was during this time period that the first child was born.  They moved to Oscoda, Michigan so Leighton could fulfill his two-year active-duty obligation of ROTC.  Their second child was born during this time.   After Leighton’s military service, they moved to Garden City, Kansas where Leighton joined the veterinary practice of Dr. M.P. “Jack” Reeve.  Their family grew to a total of five children.  As a homemaker, she provided a faith based and loving home full of laughter, joy, and support for her family.  As “Grammy”, she loved, comforted, and embraced her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at every opportunity.  

She was a very active member of the Garden City United Methodist Church participating in UMW Circle, Bible Study, MYF youth activities, Godmothers, and church celebrations including the Living Christmas.  She was also active in the Kansas State Alumni Association, and Auxiliary to American Veterinarian Medical Association.  She enjoyed traveling with Leighton on many trips to Colorado, a train ride through central Canada, a cruise to Alaska, overseas trips to London, Scotland, Europe, and Italy.

As a couple, their faith-based journey together was grounded in the “Love of Christ”, being servants of God, providing God-given blessings to their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and acquaintances through their  67-years together, and as a widow for the past 3-years.  As a friend to many, she provided a reassuring smile and welcome, a listening ear, a spirit-filled serving heart, and sometimes a dry witty response.

She is survived by her son Scott and wife Sheri of Edmond, Oklahoma; her daughter, Jan Scott and husband Jim of Dodge City, her son Brad and wife Kathy of Cornelia, Georgia, and her son Lance of Wichita, nine grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her father James Blankenship, mother Ruby Blankenship (Carmen Blankenship deceased), husband Leighton, brother Jack Blankenship, and oldest son Kyle Edward.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo, of Garden City, in the care of Robson Funeral Home, 620 N. Main St., Garden City, Kansas 67846.

Book signing services will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Robson Funeral Home, Garden City. 

Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 2 P.M. at Robson Funeral Home of Garden City.