Marilyn Oates Sailed into Stuart

Marilyn Oates and her husband, Bob, moved to the Jensen Beach area in 2021 from Hampton, VA. In the years between 2012 and 2017, they split their time between their home in Hampton and their sailboat. On one of their many sailing adventures to the Bahamas, they docked in Stuart, Florida, and liked it so much they continued returning to the area. In 2017, they purchased a seasonal condo in Stuart and began spending six months of the year in Florida. Marilyn has always been interested in the sciences, so when she heard about Florida Oceanographic, she decided to make a visit to the Coastal Center. “It reminded me of a place we used to take our daughter when we lived in Virginia,” Marilyn said, and after that first visit, she knew she wanted to volunteer.

Marilyn set her sights on volunteering with the sea turtles and attended a Volunteer Information session in January 2021. Because there were not opportunities to work directly with sea turtles, she began her volunteer adventure as an Exhibit Guide at the touch tank and took part in numerous beach cleanups. Several months later, when the new Ocean EcoCenter opened, her duties expanded. Marilyn has also volunteered for numerous beach cleanups. In March 2022, she was given the opportunity to volunteer as part of Florida Oceanographic Society’s Nighttime Sea Turtle Walk Program. She jumped right into the program and became a volunteer Turtle Scout Apprentice. With the many opportunities that Marilyn has taken advantage of, she has acquired nearly 200 hours of volunteer service!

Marilyn enjoys greeting guests and having the opportunity to teach them about Florida’s fish and wildlife. She likes inspiring them to take care of our beaches and our waterways. “My favorite part of volunteering is learning about our local environment and being able to educate others,” Marilyn said, adding that she finds enjoyment working with the staff and other volunteers.

Marilyn graduated from the University of VA In Nursing and spent 45 years in the health care field. Her career started as a Pediatric ICU nurse, and she has spent time in Nursing Education, as well as roles in leadership and development.

Marilyn and her husband, Bob, have been married for 37 years. They have one daughter, Katie, who is 34 and lives in Charleston, SC. Congratulations are in order: she is a gushing grandmother to her first grandchild who is one month old.

Marilyn Oates Snapshot

Born in: Dayton, OH but grew up in Fairfax, VA

Alma Mater: Graduated from University of VA, and attended Graduate school at Medical College of VA

Hobbies/Interests: sailing, tennis

Favorite local restaurants: New England Fish House, Kyle G’s, Black Marlin

Favorite authors: Robert Dugoni, Margaret Atwood

Recommend TV/Streaming series: Outlander, Yellow Stone, 1883