The title says it all. Growing up in a world dominated by two self-centered abusive men, the author had to fight all her life for her mental and physical survival. Marilyn Anne Pate tells her story with painful honesty, not seeking sympathy, but rather opening a door for others who have had similar experiences. Somehow, she endured the sexual molestation of her demonic grandfather as a child, and the constant abuse of her father as an adolescent and young woman.
She writes: “Common, everyday evil ones go unrecognized as they diminish, punish, humiliate, abuse and finally destroy the spirit of another.” The living hell did not stop until she left home and created a life of her own. As a wife and mother, she learned to forgive, if not forget.
Not only does the author tell a page-turning story, she writes with discipline and craftsmanship. It is more than a therapy session—it is art. Perhaps the one good thing her English-teacher father gave her was his facility with language. He used it to deceive and coerce those around him; she uses it to expose him.
~ Jo Baeza, Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
Author of Ranch Wife, newspaper columnist, writing teacher/editor

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Subtle, cunning, baffling are the characteristics of the invisible disease of the family of a raging and controlling father and a terrified mother who can do nothing but escape time and time again.
Realistic hope seems all but a pipe dream when what the family members fear (and outsiders cannot or will not see), is so present, so perceptive and so efficient in preserving the systemic oppression.
Marilyn Anne Pate masterfully recreates the illusions that ensconce the denial that besets an abused family. This memoir dances effectively between brutal honesty and the inescapable evidence of a little girl grown up with a heart constantly breaking from the love of her father and her mother.
~ The Rev. Dr. Bude VanDyke, Chaplain
St Andrew’s-Sewanee School, Sewanee, TN

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Mercifully, decades after Marilyn Pate endured physical and emotional trauma, teachers and other professionals now take a stand and report suspected abuse. Marilyn should be looking back on a joyful childhood; instead she looks back at the chilling memories of a mean, mad and miserable father. She is finally able to tell her story.
To see Marilyn today is to see a strong, warm-hearted woman who in spite of a dreadful childhood, has triumphed as an adult.
The most touching words in Everyday Evil are “That summer I was loved.”
This memoir should be required reading for every parent.
~ Ellen Sussman, Green Valley, AZ
Freelance writer for the Green Valley News and the Sahuarita Sun

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Everyday Evil is the poignant story of a handsome, gifted but emotionally disturbed father and the daily devastation he dispensed to his family. Written by his daughter and eldest child, it will break your heart and give you insights into the emotional needs we all crave to be met. Every father of every age should read this book.
~ Rev. Robert Jenkins, Green Valley, AZ
United Methodist Pastor, ret.

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Everyday Evil is brutally honest. It is the author’s story of her “struggle for sanity, redemption and finally forgiveness.”
Abuse takes many forms. Marilyn experienced physical brutality, scorn, and sarcasm at the hands of her father. He was an Army Air Corps Provost Marshall, a Tucson police officer and a middle school principal and was harsh at work and at home. He enforced ridiculous rules on his three older children having to do with friendships, dating, school activities and personal hygiene. The much younger child escaped many of the restrictions but suffered in different ways after the others left home.
The book has depth; is sad but realistic in terms of insight into dealing with abuse. Everyday Evil is a good read and offers hope and inspiration for others in comparable circumstances.
~ Gael P (Mustapha) Doyle, Tacoma, WA
Author of Surfer Boy, Hula Girl and Haole Girl, young adult novels
Freelance newspaper and magazine writer
Writing teacher, started many writing critique groups in CA, HI, AZ and WA

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A book of hell and a hell of a book.
When a family knows today’s terror will be repeated tomorrow.
The reader wishes this story hadn’t happened but knowing that it did will lessen the chances of it happening again.
Whatever other awards Marilyn Pate receives for Everyday Evil, she deserves one for the courage and heart she shows in telling her family’s tragedy.
~ Allan Meyer, Oro Valley, AZ
Humanities Professor, ret.
Author, Right and Wrong-a Useful Fiction
Newspaper columnist for The Oracle

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Marilyn Pate’s chronicle of growing up with a physically and emotionally abusive father reminds us that the human spirit contains girders of strength.
How else could an individual withstand the loss of a mother, a monstrous father, an incestuous grandfather and multiple moves around the country all by the age of nine?
Not even the severe mood swings of her father, nor the strength of his hands or words, could demolish her will to live.
Everyday Evil inspires us to face our adversities with strength and resolve and to prevail, just as Marilyn Pate did.
~ Lynn Wiese Sneyd, Tucson, AZ
Author of Holistic Parenting and co-author of How Happy Families Happen

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Former P-L resident shares terrifying story in 'Everyday Evil'
03/27/2009, Originally Published in the White Mountain Independent

Author Claude Campbell describes "Everyday Evil," a 248-page paperback written by former Pinetop-Lakeside resident Marilyn Pate, as "the terrifying story of manipulation, repression and cruelty by a father who appeared to the outside world as a normal, devoted family man."
     A storm lived in the little house on Second Street in Tucson. No one was supposed to know about the midnight yelling screaming fights between the police captain and his charming second wife.
     Three terrified children knew. They hid under the covers, piled pillows over their heads and tried to sleep so they could earn the straight A's in school that were demanded of them.
     Teachers knew when they saw and tended to the lacerations on arms and legs of two of the children.
     The stepmother knew and was able to protect her daughters from physical harm, but she couldn't protect them from the everyday toxic emotional, spiritual and intellectual abuse that the father meted out because he loved them.
     Why was the father - a handsome, intelligent, charming narcissist - that way? Everyday decisions that gradually turned into evil acts became common. How did only one of his four children come to lead a relatively normal life? How did she break the chain of abuse and raise three loving children? Why did each of his four wives regret they married him while his daughter enjoys and revels in 55 years of one happy marriage?
     "Everyday Evil" answers unaskable questions. It is written from a recovered heart and will touch yours.
     Pate is a former resident of Pinetop-Lakeside, now retired in Green Valley where she writes and teaches. She has taught elementary school, community college and memoir writing groups.
     In July 2008 she taught a memoir class at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, as part of the Summer Citizens for Seniors program. She has been published in Arizona Highways Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul, Arizona Republic and Arizona Daily Star.
     Her work has won awards in the annual contest sponsored by The Society of Southwestern Authors. She is president of the Santa Cruz Valley Chapter of the Society.
     Her first book, "Mary George, Her Book," is based on 10 years of her grandmother's life from 1885-1895 in Utah, Northern Arizona and New Mexico. While most of the story is taken from family histories - written and oral - it is classified as historical fiction. "Everyday Evil," a memoir, is the story of her pedophile grandfather, brutal father and submissive, mentally fragile stepmother. While it is a disturbing account of rage, physical, emotional and spiritual abuse, it offers hope and inspiration for those who have suffered the same.
     Pate and her Navy husband raised a family of three children, traveled the world while earning college degrees and are still happily married after 55 years.
     "Everyday Evil" is available in paperback, 248 pages, for $16 from Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing at www.wymacpublishing.com 

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Mary George, Her Book
Historical Fiction by: Marilyn Anne Pate
Publisher: PublishAmerica; October 30, 2006
Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and PublishAmerica

Marilyn Pate delivers!, July 5, 2007
I don't know much about history... but Marilyn Pate's powerful style and compelling characters immediately drew me in and I ended up learning so much about the period and places in Mary George's life. Marilyn is especially skillful in conveying the thoughts and words of children, and as Mary grew, so did my love for her. If you like American history, this is a must-read. And even if you don't, give Mary George, Her Book a try. If nothing else, you'll end up a Marilyn Pate fan for life!
~ By D. Roessle (Green Valley, AZ)

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A captivating read, April 5, 2007
The author develops her characters well which involves you in their lives and problems rapidly. You can't help but sympathize with Mary who has to take on such responsibility at such a young age. I really enjoyed reading the book and was left wanting more at the end. The research that went into the novel must have been extensive. Information about the Mormon beliefs was very interesting.
~ By Sue A. Densham (Battle Creek, MI)

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"Mary George, Her Book" is wonderful!, March 24, 2007
"Mary George, Her Book" is wonderful! My heart went out to Mary. I wanted to take her in my arms and hug her, to allow her to be a child. At age 8 she should not have been expected to take on the adult responsibilities of her younger siblings. Nor to be caretaker and watcher of her disturbed mother. Regardless of how hard life was for the Saints, it was selfish of Mary's family to expect her to stay home, to not allow her to attend school when they knew of her longing for learning. Unfortunately that probably was "the way of the west." With her family upbringing and the expectations of her parents, that she had the courage to step away and live her own life was remarkable.
This book brings to life the real "old west" from the struggles and hardships of a wagon trek across the country to being kidnapped by Indians and to the sweetness of box suppers and young love.
Author Marilyn Pate did well in relating the experiences of this family. I'm looking forward to reading her next book.
~ By E. J. Phillips (Oklahoma)

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Anxious for More from Marilyn!, March 1, 2007
I was impressed with the research that went into the recounting of the life and adventures of Mary George. The characters all seemed so real that I could not tell which were or weren't. The story of how one family contributed to the "taming" of the West holds the reader's unwavering attention.
A marvelous read!
~ By Joan Crandell (Corona de Tucson, AZ USA)

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A fun read, February 26, 2007
This was a fun read, that also left me a little smarter. I loved the perspective of the settling of the west - from the view point of the family at 'home'. Yes there were indians and cowboys to - but the telling of these experiences, in the first person by a young girl growing up during these times, brings an immediacy to the settling of the west that is unusual and exciting.
~ By Steve Gordon (Prescott, AZ USA)

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A wonderful story - on many levels, February 23, 2007
I found this book impossible to put down. It is fascinating as it makes history vivid and real. The characters are well-drawn and developed, especially concerning the mother's illness and her daughter's adaptation and growth due to it. I have recommended it to friends who have also loved it.
~ By M. Davis (Tucson, AZ)

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This book is like a picture that gets painted in your imagination, February 9, 2007
The author does an excellent job of painting a picture in your mind. Her descriptions of what Mary experiences along her journey is very colorful and entertaining. This is an excellent book that captures the imagination with all the interesting and quirky characters. I woke up every morning to read more, anxiously awaiting what kinds of perils and adventures Mary would have. A definite keeper, I have recommended this book to all my friends. I hope Mrs. Pate writes another one as I would surely read it.
~ By Tracy Evans (Hailey, Idaho)

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A western story you rarely ever hear, February 9, 2007
This book brings to life a story of the old west you rarely ever see. The story is of a young girl, her crazy mother,and her family as they travel on foot and by wagon across the old west to create a new life. To see how hard these womens lives were through the eyes of this young girl Mary George was very compelling. I read the book until late in the night, I could not put it down.
~ By Kerry Forrest (California)

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Fascinating, informative book, February 6, 2007
This book was hard to put down. It reads like a well crafted novel but is full of the detail of every day life on the frontier. The story follows Mary George from childhood as she develops into a strong young woman with the gift of healing. The book is full of well rounded characters and wonderful descriptions of the place and time.
~ By S. West (Tucson)

Tom McNeill & Mary George McNeill
Wedding Photo 1895
 

 Please send any questions or comments via E-mail to: Marilyn Anne Pate.