It is with great sorrow and regret that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Marilyn Magowan. Marilyn diligently served as the Editor of Wiring Harness News from 1998 until 2017. She also served as President and public face of the organization during that time. In 2017, not wishing to retire completely, she scaled back her role to Layout Artist so she could spend more time with her recently retired husband, Ken. Ironically, the last issue Marilyn designed was the November/December 2024 edition, having fully retired only three weeks prior to her passing. During those years in this reduced capacity, she continued to advise us on past protocols and provided great insight from her years of experience.
Marilyn was deeply loved and respected by those she encountered in the wire harness industry. She worked tirelessly outside her duties at WHN, serving for many years on the board of directors for the WHMA and winning the coveted ‘Bud and Gus Award’ for outstanding service to the industry. Marilyn worked closely with the folks at EPI Shows and the Milwaukee Center, and she was instrumental in the early successes of the EWPT Expo. Her infectious smile and genuine warmth were evident to all who stopped by the WHN booth at any event she attended.
Outside of work, Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her family the most. They told us she loved quilting and made many pieces for friends and family. She was also an avid cook and even produced a cookbook with her brother Ron and other siblings. The limited edition is apparently sought after by family and friends.
To include all the kind words we have received regarding her passing would fill an entire issue. Following are just a few from those who developed a strong relationship with her through the years:
Saeed Mogadam – Telsonic:
“I am truly sorry to hear of Marilyn’s passing. She was genuinely a good and kind person. Her dedication and passion for her work at the news magazine were so sincere and evident that she naturally inspired cooperation and support from those around her. Marilyn’s hard work and commitment left a lasting impression on all of us.
Her love for her husband, Ken, and her family was always clear and deeply rooted in who she was. I will always cherish my memories of her and hold her in high respect.”
Tim Macalpine – Komax:
“Marilyn was a wonderful person. I always looked forward to seeing her; she made you feel like family. Our industry and world were better places with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and everyone she touched.”
Norm Sagon – NFS Group, WHMA Past Chairman
Marilyn was our industry “Lady of our Media” and I first met her in the early 1990’s through Fred Knaack, publisher/partner of the Wiring Harness News as she was a great asset to this new start up industry newspaper.
I really cherished my industry business time working with Marilyn especially those various WHMA social events along with her “side kick” Kathy Freund of the WHN as they worked so good together in making the WHN a great industry trade journal, and so her genuine kindness will be greatly missed…God Bless…
Jay Partington – EPI Shows
It is so hard to write about Marilyn, as there were so many incidents, happenings, events, and good times.Wiring Harness News has always been a significant part of the Electrical Wire Processing and Technology Expo. In the early years, around 2001, I relied on input from Marilyn to guide the event.
She was always conservatively dressed and very proper, with wonderful manners. Her voice was soft, pronounced, and authoritative, but also so polite. Cheryl Luck and I had the pleasure of seeing the other side of Marilyn in private meetings, as she showed some of her dry wit and cute sayings.
I considered Marilyn a friend as well as a business associate. She helped me so much and was just a joy to be with. She always had valuable and interesting perspectives and gave me wisdom in the way I look at life. I will miss her.
Brent Stringham – DIT-MCO (retired):
“She was a very special lady. I will always cherish the memory of my relationship with Marilyn and Kathy. They were a fun and unique pair—the ‘ladies of the wiring harness world.’ Marilyn was a unique talent, and it clearly showed in the professionalism of a small, niche-oriented publication that has survived and thrived for 30 years now. She was a truly nice, genuine person. I rarely saw her without that radiant smile on her face, except for maybe when she was lamenting the occasional ‘challenges’ posed by one of her more difficult customers (of which I’m sure we all were at one time or another!).
She was warm, fair, friendly, caring, patient, and professional. I fondly remember countless hours spent with her over literally hundreds of trade shows and conferences over the past 30 years. She was a dear friend, and I will miss her.”
Joe Tito – Wiring Harness News:
“My personal experience with Marilyn began back when I worked for a WHN advertiser. New to the industry, Marilyn took me around to introduce me to her friends in the industry. I’ve seen her do this with countless others. I don’t think you could ever place a value on the connections that Marilyn made throughout her time in this industry. She was truly a kind soul, and she will be sorely missed.”
Dave Miller – Wiring Harness News:
“A few weeks before Marilyn’s death, she was a little upset that she was retiring and letting us at Wiring Harness News down. This could not be further from the truth. Marilyn worked for us for almost 30 years, and I can honestly say that our publication would not exist today if it were not for Marilyn. For many years, she was the president and face of our organization in addition to putting each issue together.
She was such a great co-worker and friend to all of us and will be greatly missed.”
We will all miss Marilyn’s warm smile and calming demeanor, yet we are grateful for the years we knew and worked with her. Please join us as we keep her husband, Ken, and son Chuck in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn her loss.
