MATTHEWS, NC – Marilyn Ceckowski Rising, 85, formerly of Westfield MA, passed away peacefully on September 13th, 2026, in Matthews, NC. A lifelong resident of Westfield, she moved to North Carolina in 2016 to be closer to family.
Born December 10th, 1940, at Noble Hospital, Marilyn was the daughter of Joseph F. Ceckowski and Josephine Mietla Ceckowski. She graduated from Westfield High School in 1958 and married Alan Rising on June 1st, 1963. Together, they built a family that grew to include three children, eight grandchildren and a great-grandson.
A devoted member of St. Joseph’s National Catholic Church, Marilyn’s Polish heritage remained an important part of her life, especially through the Polish dishes she loved to make. With a December birthday, Christmas was always one of her favorite times of year, and she loved decorating and hosting during the holidays. She treasured summers spent on Cape Cod and was a lifelong and loyal Boston Red Sox fan.
She took great pride in her home and had a special talent for making things beautiful, whether decorating her house and yard or choosing just the right gift for someone she loved. Marilyn was extraordinarily strong, meeting both life’s joys and its considerable challenges with resilience and determination. Through it all, she remained devoted to her family and friends and found great pleasure in caring for and celebrating the people she loved.
That strength was evident throughout her decades-long experience with multiple sclerosis. Marilyn lived with the effects of the disease for more than six decades, experiencing symptoms for years before receiving an official diagnosis in the mid-1980s. She refused to let MS define her, continuing to live a life centered around her family, faith and the traditions she treasured.
Marilyn is survived by her daughter Karyn Trueman (Scott) of North Port, FL.; son Kurt Rising (Addie) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Kyle Rising of West Springfield, MA, Alec Rising of West Springfield, MA, Rachael Trueman of North Port, FL, Avery Rising of Charlotte, NC, Ella Rising of Belleville, NJ, and Joey Rising of Charlotte, NC; a great-grandson; her sister-in-law, Susan Derrick of Athens, GA; Natalie Rising of West Springfield, MA; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Josephine Ceckowski; husband, Alan Rising; son, Scott Rising; grandson, Justin Rising; and granddaughter, Danielle Trueman.
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held Saturday, October 24th at 11 a.m., at St. Joseph’s National Catholic Church, 73 Main Street, Westfield, MA 01085.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, St. Joseph’s National Catholic Church or an organization of your choosing.
