Marilou "Moey" Rutledge's Obituary
Rutledge, Marilou “Moey” Born July 5, 1924 in Dallas, TX and passed away April 2, 2012 in Garland, TX. “Moey” attended college at Lindenwood College in Missouri, graduated from University of Texas at Austin, and later earned a Master’s Degree from Southern Methodist University. After graduation, she taught school in the Park Cities. Moey spent many of her early summers as a camper at Camp Waldemar in the Texas Hill Country. She later served as a riding instructor at the camp, where she could easily be persuaded to demonstrate Roman riding. Moey’s dream was to combine her love of the outdoors and the basic camping experiences of riding, ping pong, swimming, tennis, and croquet into a camp of her own. She wanted to help young children enjoy the unique camping experiences and build their own memories. In 1956 she realized that dream with the opening of Merriwood Day Camp in Garland, TX. Merriwood is modeled after the 50’s-era day camps and continues to operate focused on those basics. Moey lived life on her terms and was an avid competitor in bridge and golf as well as many other sports. Her proudest legacy was that so many of the Merriwood campers loved it so much that multiple generations of families attended, and they often returned as instructors and counselors. Preceded in death by her parents, Mary Lou Wood and Robert Morton Rutledge, Sr.; and brothers, Richard Rutledge and Robert Morton Rutledge, Jr. Survived by Wilmojean Wages Rutledge, sister-in-law; Judith Ann Rutledge, niece, of Carrollton, TX; and two nephews, Robert Morton (Bob) Rutledge III and his wife Glenda of Weatherford, TX, and Richard Wages (Dick) Rutledge and his wife Mickey of Katy, TX. Survivors also include 5 great nieces and nephews and 7 great-great nieces and nephews in Texas, Oregon, and Colorado, as well as many friends in the Dallas area and the Texas Hill Country. Memorial Service will be held at 3pm on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Restland Wildwood Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the Special Olympics or a charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Marilou?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marilou?
Share a story where Marilou's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marilou you’ll never forget.
How did Marilou make you smile?