Marilyn Buist Scott, 80, a long-time resident of Rockville, MD, and Naples, FL, died Saturday, September 8, 2012, after a lengthy illness, attended by her family at her home in Chapel Hill, NC. Marilyn was born January 6, 1932 and was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas M. Buist and Anne J. Buist, and her sister, Betty Ann Scott. She excelled in her studies, attending Wellesley College and Middlebury College, before earning her Master's degree from American University. In her mid-20s, she played a key role in launching America into the Space Age, writing the computer operating system code for Project Mercury. She continued with a very successful career with IBM until her retirement in 1997. Marilyn maintained a keen faith and was a regular church-goer, notably at Fourth Presbyterian in Bethesda, Maryland. She was a talented artist and served on the Rockville (MD) Cultural Arts Commission. She also loved music, particularly the hymns she sang every day of her life. Marilyn is survived by her loving sons, Gifford D. Scott of Chapel Hill and Oak Island, NC, and James S. Scott of Oak Ridge, NC, and grandsons, Ford and James Scott of Chapel Hill. The family plans private memorials in Chapel Hill and Oak Island. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her memory to Fourth Presbyterian Church, 5500 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20816, or University Presbyterian Church, 209 E. Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.