Marilyn Jean (Alderson) Wiley of Bloomington IN and longtime resident of Washington MA, died on July 26, 2021 at the age of 85.

Born on the family farm in Strawberry Point, Iowa to Lloyd and Margaret Alderson, she excelled academically and attended Iowa State University, receiving her bachelor's degree in Home Economics in 1957. There she met her husband of 62 years, Roy John Wiley, who preceded her in death in 2019.

After graduating, they moved to Pittsfield MA and Marilyn went on to receive a Master's in Nutrition Education and became a Registered Dietician. She worked as a hospital dietitian and then spent 40 years as the Director of School Food Service in the Pittsfield Public School system. In that role, she started the school breakfast program and was a staunch advocate for expanding access to nutritious meals to underserved children. After her retirement she worked as a nutrition educator and meal planner for Elder Services of Berkshire County.

Marilyn was an avid birder and gardener and longtime member of the Hoffman Bird Club, the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, and the Springside Garden Group. She was also a voracious reader, reading as many as ten books a week, and spent many hours in the Berkshire Atheneum. In 1984 she and Roy moved to Washington MA, where they ran the Blueberry Hill U-pick blueberry farm and provided hospitality to many Appalachian Trail hikers. Fondly known among AT hikers as "The Cookie Lady," she offered cookies and refreshments to thousands of hikers for 30+ years.

Marilyn is survived by her two daughters, Marcia Wiley of Seattle, WA and Andrea Wiley of Bloomington, IN, three grandsons, and her brother Gerald Alderson of Cedar Rapids, IA.

A memorial will be held in Washington, MA in the summer of 2022. Donations in her memory can be made to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA 01240.