Birth date: Sep 4, 1953 Death date: Nov 7, 2020
Marilyn Lydia (Dikilato) Abejon was born on September 4, 1953 and went on to join other family and loved ones on November 7, 2020. She attended Sacred Hearts Convent, Kaewai Elementary, Kalakaua Intermediate and graduated from Fa Read Obituary
From Angel DePasquale (Sister)
I remember being the flower girl for their wedding. I believe Marilyn sewed the green dress I wore. She was quite a talented seamstress! I was grateful because she made my first holoku for hula. It was beautiful and I loved dancing in it! She was a perfectionist and it showed in everything she did.
From Matthew Nagato (nephew)
Aunty Marilyn was fierce.
Anyone who knew her, who knew her well and knew her completely, came to recognize how fierce she was. People who are fierce can be headstrong, they can make others uncomfortable with how emotional they can get.
But my Aunty Marilyn, she was fierce about all the right things in life: her kids, her grandkids, her family. It was a passionate belief in, and defense of, the people who mattered most to her.
As a young boy, honestly, it could be a scary thing to see. But as a young man, and now as an old one, it’s something I recognize as one of life’s most important lessons and a person’s most important trait: how much do they love and protect the people closest to them?
And, of course, she would always punctuate what she was saying with hearty laughter at the end, inviting you to perhaps not take things too seriously.
I never realized it then, but I look back on all the family outings, all the family gatherings and late nights spent as a child listening to adults talk, when everyone else, the other aunties or uncles, my parents or my siblings, would all too often dismiss what I had to say, would try to push me down for talking out of turn or acting too big for my age, Aunty Marilyn was the one who would say something encouraging. She might not have believed anything I’d said was right or true, she might have even thought I was acting too big for my age, but she was willing to say something that made me believe I wasn’t just a dumb kind. She would say things, while not always agreeing, that left open the possibilities.
At the time I thought she was just being contrarian; that she was just going against the flow, wanting to be different than everyone else who had dismissed me or what I’d said.
I recognize now, that in her own way, she was protecting me, too. Maybe she recognized what it was like to feel dismissed, maybe she’d felt that way in her past, and didn’t want me to feel it, too. Maybe it was just love for a nephew.
Whatever the case may have been, whatever her reasons for lending some of that fierce energy to me, I’ll always be grateful to her for helping, in a small but meaningful way, turn that scrawny young boy of yesterday into the person and the man I am today.
From Sandra Kendrick (Sister-in-Law)
I have a lifetime full of fond memories of Marilyn being that we were a close knit family to start with. She was always genuine and generous in life. She also was a perfectionist in whatever she chose to do. There was always a weekly get together back in the day. Whether a dinner with friends and family or we'd go cruising around the island in separate vehicles but still together. The most exciting places we cruised were the sand dunes in Kahuku, going around Kaena point and Allen Davis to name a few. We also hiked several trails on our cruising trips. We played volleyball every Sunday night at the Kailua courts with the kids in playpens and had a blast. One thing that amazed me was her shooting skills. We were playing with a pellet gun and she said you like see me drop the mango without hitting the fruit. She aimed and the mango fell. When we retrieved the mango it was in tack and the stem was where she shot it. But my most memorable time with her is the day we left their home on our last vacation. I hugged her so tight and said "I'm really gonna miss you." I am sure she knows I have always had a fond spot in my heart for her. For now I will bid you farewell and rest in peace and love. "A Hui Hou".....
From Kuuleianuhea Awo-Chun (Family Friend)
Three things I learned from Marilyn
My relationship with my own family was so different than my relationship with the Abejon ‘ohana...mainly due to the lessons I learned by watching Marilyn be a mom and foundation for her family. These are the things I learned from that time that seems so long ago.
1. A mother protects her children like a bear defends her cubs - she was always such a loving and protective mom and I wish I could be more like her as a mother. Her relationship and bond with all her children, especially the open and close relationship she has with her daughters, is what I hope to have with my own keiki.
2. Family traditions are the foundation for a loving ‘ohana - bringing the entire family together in love and happiness is another lesson I learned from her. Her strength and belief in this felt like the glue that held her family together as one.
3. Love and generosity never runs out, so give it freely and abundantly - Marilyn and Jose took me in when I had no place to go. They loved me unconditionally even when I was a ridiculous, insecure, still-learning life teenager who had a lot of growing up to do. Marilyn never made me feel bad about the many life lessons I was still trying to learn. She was there for me to talk to when I needed. She listened without judgement.
I am forever grateful for these lessons I learned from one of the most loving mothers I’ve ever had in my life. She was a mom to me in so many ways. She will always hold a huge part of my heart forever.
From Joenar Abejon (Brother-in Law)
Growing up, for me it was tough and she knew. One of the guidance she told me was to "stay away from trouble", since then it got me thinking and been out of trouble since, lol..
From Abraham Abejon (Brother-in Law)
Marilyn was a very kind, smart and family oriented person. When we got together, we talked about food, family and travel.
The food she made for her family was done with perfection, anyone could see and taste her Love.
My family and I will miss her dearly.
From Celestina Atkins (Cousin)
"I will forever remember Marilyn's kindness and generosity to me, especially when I first came to Hawaii. I want to share 2 memories. One was driving at Kaena point when it was still passable. It was terrifying to stare down the cliff into the ocean. The other was wiping out while we caught waves at Bellows. Why? Both times, she showed me her nerves of steel. I laugh at these memories now, but they helped me thru tough times.
From Terilyn Equihua-Sanchez (Niece)
I know for me , I remember last time when your mom and dad came to big island to visit. I invited them to my house for a early dinner. Your mom came with all her ingredients to make me her famous pear pie that I love so much and a spinach casserole. She showed me step by step how to make that pear pie. She made sure that each piece of that pear was cut so perfectly. I was amazed how she got it so perfect since when I tried I couldn't make it like hers. Then the next day when we went to meet them she had her secret recipe written down on a piece of paper for me. I was so happy because I loved her pie. I made it a few times already and it's never is exactly like hers. She had the special touch. Also during that visit we spent so much times together. Just talking stories about the past and what was happening in our lives at that time. It was so nice just hanging out with them.
Your mom had a huge heart . She made us feel so special when we visited last year in July. She knew that at that time my dad was real sick and I kept getting calls from the care center on updates for my dad. Your mom knew and we had a conversation about what I was going through and she made me feel comforted. She gave me a hug and told me that no matter what happens that I would be ok because I did my best for him. Who knew that a couple days later my dad passed. I felt ok because of what your mom said to me. She had a way with her words. She was a very special person.
From Wendy Dikilato (Sister-in-Law)
Memories of Marilyn.
(1) A GREAT sister-in-law.
( 2) family first, always give from your heart ❤️ & be kind to others.
(3) Marilyn introduced me to Nanoblocks by giving me my first project to build a Japanese Castle consisting of 2,200 micro-sized blocks. It was hard, but I completed it.
(4) Talking to her on the phone for over an hour or two reminiscing of the GOOD OLD DAYS with family and enjoying the delicious food & laughter.
Marilyn will be missed, but certainly not forgotten. Until we meet again! Wendy
From Sandra Kendrick (Sister-inLaw)
I have a lifetime full of fond memories of Marilyn being that we were a close knit family to start with. She was always genuine and generous in life. She also was a perfectionist in whatever she chose to do. There was always a weekly get together back in the day. Whether a dinner with friends and family or we'd go cruising around the island in separate vehicles but still together. The most exciting places we cruised were the sand dunes in Kahuku, going around Kaena point and Allen Davis to name a few. We also hiked several trails on our cruising trips. We played volleyball every Sunday night at the Kailua courts with the kids in playpens and had a blast. One thing that amazed me was her shooting skills. We were playing with a pellet gun and she said you like see me drop the mango without hitting the fruit. She aimed and the mango fell. When we retrieved the mango it was in tack and the stem was where she shot it. But my most memorable time with her is the day we left their home on our last vacation. I hugged her so tight and said "I'm really gonna miss you." I am sure she knows I have always had a fond spot in my heart for her. For now I will bid you farewell and rest in peace and love. "A Hui Hou".....
