Marilyn E. Tastet

April 9, 1931 - January 27, 2025

After a weekend surrounded by her family, Marilyn Jean Eshbaugh Tastet of Greensboro, NC, age 93, passed peacefully in her sleep to her eternal living address during the early morning hours of January 27, 2025, at Heartland Living & Rehab. Marilyn leaves behind a legacy of love and faith with her life Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV): "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Marilyn was born in Washington, DC, on April 9, 1931, to the late George Mahlon and Dorothy Martina Wright Eshbaugh. Marilyn lived in Greenbelt, MD, for most of her childhood and graduated from Greenbelt High School.  Following graduation, she met her "Dream Boat", Waldo Joseph "Buddy" Tastet, Jr., at the wedding of their first cousins, Barbara Wright and James C. Simpson. They married in July 1952 and spent 41 years together until Buddy's passing in December 1993.

Marilyn and Bud moved to Alexandria, VA, in 1959 near Mount Vernon to Yacht Haven Estates just off the Potomac River. It was there they established their family and loved all family and friends with a deep and steady compassion. She was a dedicated mother and wife. Her gift of hospitality shined as she supported her husband in business entertainment, and welcomed a steady stream of friends and relatives to the home and table.  Marilyn had a passion for presentation in the house, and continued to pursue her love of fashion, which was present in her childhood as she made her own clothes and special outfits for family and friends.  She opened a Stretch & Sew fabric store and classroom franchise in 1968 in Woodbridge, VA; she loved teaching classes and helping customers select their fabrics as well as planning and narrating Fashion Shows.

Bud purchased the "white farm" on Coon Ridge in Hillsville, VA, in 1984 where Marilyn and he became fast friends with their daughter's in-laws along with neighbors there, and enlarged their family and friend circle. After the store closed in 1986, they chose to relocate to Hillsville in 1988 - although it was to the "red farm" because it was larger (and by mom's passionate preference).  After Bud passed, she eventually moved in 1998 to Greensboro, NC, since two children were living in the same city and she realized it did have more than one shopping mall!  How excited she was to have all family in one city when the third child moved there in 2001 so she could watch all the grandchildren grow and attend their school events!  Marilyn moved in 2007 to the Carillon apartment community for seniors where she independently lived for 16 years, and enlarged her friend circle yet again; she was part of the Welcome Committee, narrated several fashion shows, won many Halloween contests, and loved her Bingo over the years.

Along with her husband and parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her brother, George Mahlon Eshbaugh, Jr.  Marilyn is survived by her three children and their families (all of Greensboro, NC, unless indicated):
Robert Lee Tastet (Glenda Snowden) of Lynchburg, VA, and their sons -- Dustin Tyler Mahlon Tastet (Stephanie Shaneyfelt), Joseph Waldo Tastet (Jane Lackey), and first great grandson, Emerson Adam Tastet, and Nicholas Elliott Tastet (fiancé, Mariah Jones) of Charlotte, NC;
Dorothy Elizabeth (Dee) Tastet-Davis (Dwaine/Marty), and their son -- Brandon Christopher Davis (Liz Patrick) and first great granddaughter, June Iona Davis;
Arthur Frank Tastet (Tracy Manley) and Marilyn's only granddaughter, Hannah Elizabeth Tastet, and, youngest grandson, Collin Matthew Tastet of Cullowhee, NC.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 5 at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel at 11:00 am with Monsignor Patrick from Our Lady of Nazareth in Roanoke officiating. Family will receive friends at 10:00am prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at the "white farm" Field of Dreams Cemetery next to Bud.

Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, 1035 N Main Street in Hillsville, VA, is serving the family and, due to the large circle of friends, there will be multiple opportunities to celebrate Marilyn's full life.  There will be announcements of two in Greensboro where arrangements are pending:  one at St. Pius Catholic Church on Elm Street and, one at the Carillon community on Lawndale Drive.

The family extends their thanks to her friends and staff at Heartland Living & Rehab (1131 N. Church St., Greensboro, NC 27401), and the AuthoraCare Collective  (hospice at 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro NC 27405), for the care they provided to Marilyn since April 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to a charity of your choice in her memory.