A pioneer in women’s politics in Fall River, Marilyn Roderick passes away

A Fall River woman who is regarded as one of, if not the most important woman in the history of Fall River politics has died.

According to an obituary, Marilyn Morin Roderick passed away on April 17, 2025, at the age of 91.

Roderick served the community for decades both in public service and the private sector.

According to her obituary, Roderick “first ran for city council in 1975 at the age of 42. Two years later she would run for mayor in a close race that she lost by 105 votes. For the next 15 years she served on the city council serving terms as both chair and vice-chair and after retiring from teaching, was elected to the Fall River School Committee where she served another 10 years.”

“Roderick started teaching in 1959 at Morton Junior High School. For the next 15 years she taught at the Dubuque and Laurel Lake elementary schools and after being elected to the city council, taught in Swansea MA.”

“In addition to her elected public service, Marilyn loved the Fall River Public Library and served on its board for many years, including serving as Board Chair. She was a strong advocate for access to addiction care and served as a board member and Board Chair for SSTAR for over thirty years.”

When asked to reflect on her years of public service Marilyn responded: “I hope my legacy is that I wanted to make the city a good place to live, work and bring up children as best as possible,” “It’s a great city and I’d like to think I helped in a way.”

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 28 at 10:00 AM in Holy Name Parish, 709 Hanover Street, Fall River. Relatives and friends are asked to report directly to the church by 9:45 AM. Burial will be private. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Marilyn’s name to the Fall River Public Library Foundation, 104 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720.