Nurse, healer, environmentalist, vice president of Solar Design Associates
Marilyn Strong. (Courtesy photo)
Marilyn Heller Strong, R.N., 64, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. She grew up in Canton and lived in the Harvard area for more than 30 years.
Marilyn was a registered nurse for many years and vice president of Solar Design Associates. She was a master Reiki practitioner and one of the original therapists at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden in Harvard, where she volunteered her time as much as possible. Marilyn also led workshops on how to develop a more personal and healing relationship with nature and organized and produced large fundraising events to benefit the Healing Garden.
She was an avid mushroom hunter and cook, with extensive knowledge about the health benefits of mushrooms. She also studied wild foods and foraging. Marilyn was very involved in beekeeping and was certified as an apitherapist to use bee venom in healing. All of her healing work was grounded in her experience and credentials as a registered nurse.
She also volunteered with Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe, which clowns for seriously ill children in hospitals around Boston. She served on Harvard Parks and Rec, helped run the Harvard schools’ ski program for many years, and established an annual Solar Design Associates scholarship for Bromfield seniors with a focus on the environment.
Marilyn acted both locally and globally to further her beliefs in protecting the environment. She initiated Harvard’s fifth-grade Nature’s Classroom trip. In 1996, President Bill Clinton invited 300 leading businesses to an audience dubbed “Bridge to the Twenty-First Century” in Stamford, Connecticut. Marilyn attended in place of Steven, her husband and president of Solar Design, who was traveling. Donning business garb in place of her traditional jeans, she was equally at home with the president and captains of industry as with elementary school students.
Marilyn was a joyful swing dancer and also enjoyed cajun and zydeco music and dancing.
She is survived by her husband, Steven; her son, Hunter; her mother, Sally Heller; her brother, Frank “Doc” Heller; her sister, Linda Apte; and many nieces, grandnieces, and nephews, as well as friends worldwide.
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will take place Saturday, July 18, 2015, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden at 145 Bolton Road in Harvard. Parking will be very limited; please carpool when possible. In order to determine space requirements, please RSVP to sda@solardesign.com.
Contributions in memory of Marilyn may be made to the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road, Harvard, MA 01451.
Marilyn will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
