A LIFE FULL OF MEMORIES BOTH FOND AND PAINFUL.(MAIN)

Byline: MARY SHAW Staff writer

Marilyn Stevens' home is a cat lover's dream. Stuffed replicas, porcelain figurines, feline blanket throws and pillows adorn her modest abode.

Stevens explains that most of the items had been acquired in the year since her cats Rusty and Scrappy died. They were her companions for nearly 17 years.

Stevens, 66, who rarely leaves her house these days due to a condition that causes her to shake and leaves her with little energy, was born in 1934 and is a lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs. Though she has many fond memories from her childhood, some of her most painful ones began at age 9, when she started having difficulty in school. Her hands would shake involuntarily, making a simple task like handwriting almost impossible. …