Marilyn L. (Wendell) Malpass, 88
Marilyn L. (Wendell) Malpass, 88, of Bedford passed away in her home August 29, 2026, after successfully combating cancer for 26 years. She is survived by Donald Malpass, her husband of 60 years, but no other surviving family. She will be missed by many friends and fellow musicians.
She was born in the Cleveland suburb of Euclid, Ohio, where she began studying piano and violin at an early age, ultimately winning a Baldwin Acrosonic piano in a televised competition. She attended Euclid High School, where she became proficient on clarinet in order to join the marching band. She performed a piano recital in place of the traditional valedictory speech.
Marilyn received a Radcliffe scholarship, and violin became her primary instrument in order for her to join the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra. She performed with the HRO for more than 20 years, even after graduation, including a year as concertmaster and a Carnegie Hall concert.
Upon graduation she joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, where she was employed for 33 years, and as a software engineer she earned a reputation for writing “bullet-proof code.” It was during the infancy of digital computers, and she was perfectly suited to it, publishing papers with the “Signal Processing Big Kids” documenting work on Lincoln’s TX-2 research computer.
Coincidentally, at Lincoln she met engineer Don Malpass, and in 1966 their 60-year marriage began in the MIT Chapel. Seldom apart, they have been frequently referred to as the “Velcro Couple.” In 1969, Lincoln offered them an assignment at Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall Islands, and they accepted. It was interesting work, and the mid-Pacific location also offered sailing, snorkeling, diving, square dancing, bowling, exotic travel, and other benefits that caused them to remain there for 3½ glorious years. As the island violinist, Marilyn was welcomed by the community theater group, which was performing popular musicals, including “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Upon her return to the real world, Marilyn became active as member, performer, and officer in the Acton Music Club for 50 years and for nearly as long in the Lexington Music Club. She was a founding member of Heritage Chamber Players, a chamber group that gave recitals in Bedford and surrounding towns.
In addition to her devotion to music, she is known for her love of animals, sense of humor, passion for cooking, and exotic travel. She and Don have visited two dozen countries in the Caribbean, Micronesia, Australasia, Southeast Asia, France, Kenya, Egypt, and Turkey. Their sailing adventures included the Grenadines, Marshall Islands, Turkey, and the U.S., British, and Spanish Virgin Islands. Marilyn’s ashes will be scattered at sea (with Don’s) in one of the places she loved most.
Marilyn’s wish was not to have either a funeral or “Celebration of Life” service for herself. If you would have provided flowers or other tributes, you are instead encouraged to support your favorite orchestra, chamber music, or animal welfare organization with a donation. Marilyn would suggest Acton Chamber Music Society, Boston Chamber Music Society, Mistral, Winsor Music, Needham Concert Society, or Newport Classical.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. For Marilyn’s online tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
