Marilyn S. Dicus, a longtime public relations manager who served as head of marketing services for O'ahu Transit Services, died Monday in Honolulu. She was 60.

Dicus was born on Nov. 6, 1945, in Los Angeles, but graduated from Kalani High School. She received an English degree at the University of Hawai'i and a master's in public administration from the University of Southern California.

For nearly 30 years, Dicus worked for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, a combined bus-and-rail transit system. Her duties included event planning, public affairs, media relations, corporate communications and marketing.

Although she lived in Virginia for most of her life, Dicus was a Native Hawaiian and would take monthlong vacations in the Islands. In January 2001, Dicus returned to Hawai'i for good to handle the marketing duties for OTS, which operates TheBus.

Dicus became a familiar face and voice during the monthlong strike in 2003 as she served as spokeswoman for the company. But Dicus also was responsible for customer service and marketing for OTS.

J. Roger Morton, OTS president and general manager, said Dicus will be missed.

"She really brought a real professionalism to our company," Morton said. "She was a joy to work with. She was great at handling things and doing everything the right way."

Dicus is survived by her husband, Howard; son, Sean McGinty; daughter, Virginia; and brother, Todd Smith.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Diamond Head Mortuary; memorial service at 5:30 p.m.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.