Marilyn Gay Johnson, of Washington went to be with Jesus on Saturday, January 22, 2022 after a brave two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer.

Gay married Paul C. Johnson of Sycamore, Illinois, on July 21, 1973. Gay is survived by Paul and their two children, Brad Johnson of Peoria, and Monica Johnson and her husband Alex Olivares of Chicago. Also surviving are her sister, Dee (Dr. Thomas) Deschler of Champaign, Illinois; two brothers, Scott Taylor of California, and David (Joyce) Taylor of Milledgeville, Georgia; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Gay was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada on February 17, 1951 to the late Dr. John R. E. Taylor and Lois Marilyn Hea. Gay graduated from Sycamore High School in Illinois in 1969. She attended the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana and received her bachelor's in math education in 1973. Gay went on to teach math at Norwood School in Peoria County for 46 years retiring in 2021. She also taught evenings at Illinois Central College for 15 years, retiring in 2019.

Gay found great joy in being with her family and had a passion for travel. Her hobbies included cross stitch and quilting. Gay was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington. Her fight against cancer was made easier thanks to Lisa, Barbara, and all the wonderful and caring staff at the Illinois Cancer Center.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 28 ^th from 5 to 7pm at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, Illinois.  Services will be held Saturday, January 29 ^th at 11am at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington with Rev. Ron Miller officiating.  Further visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church from 10 to 11am.  Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery and a luncheon at the church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Gay's name.