Marilyn Joy Ducote

The sounds of the joyful heavenly choir welcomed Marilyn Joy Ducote (93) into the presence of Jesus on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Marilyn had returned to Louisiana in recent years to be near her family who surrounded her at her time of death.

Marilyn was born in Hackberry, LA on February 13, 1932, to Roy Anthony and Etna Catherine Johnson Ducote. At the age of five, she moved to Baton Rouge to attend the Louisiana School for the Deaf. She graduated high school there and then attended Gallaudet University in Washington, DC where she earned her B.A. in Art. She earned a Master of Fine Art degree from the Maryland Institute and a Master of Education from Western Maryland College. In later years, she returned to Gallaudet to teach.

A devout Catholic, Marilyn served for several years as a sister in Mobile, AL. During her time in Mobile, she used her talent in art to benefit her religious order as well as the community.

Marilyn spent most of her adult life in Woodland Hills, CA where she taught art and American Sign Language and was very involved within her church community. She enjoyed the company of many good friends throughout her years there.

Marilyn’s friendly personality and sense of humor made her visits to Louisiana a treat especially to her nieces and nephews who enjoyed learning about sign language, lip reading and the deaf culture. She always shared her strong faith with them as well.

Marilyn is survived by her sister-in-law Donna Ducote, cousin-in-law Margie Williams and numerous nieces and nephews who will greatly miss her.

The family would like to give special thanks to her friend Lavona Moran, caregiver Teresa Terrazas, as well as the staff of Harbor Hospice and Resthaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Hackberry Community Cemetery.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net