Marilyn Conner

Marilyn Conner (née Bansberg), 89, passed away on January 3, 2021. She was the loving wife of George R. Conner, Sr. and the devoted mother of George R. Conner, Jr. and his wife, Jeanne; Colleen C. FitzGerald and her husband, Bill; Valerie A. Zemanek and her husband, Steve. Marilyn was the beloved sister of Norma Delligatti and Carol Schiller; and revered grandmother of April DiNunno, Kevin Conner, Jillian Murphy, Hillary Gilson, Nate FitzGerald, Jocelyn Zemanek, the late Jacob Zemanek, and Julia Zemanek. She was also the adoring great-grandmother of Conner and Maria DiNunno; Brody and Chase Gilson; and Liam and Landon Murphy.

Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania to Elfie and Phillip Bansberg, Marilyn was the second of three daughters.

Marilyn graduated from Connellsville High School in 1949. One year after finishing her nursing studies at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Marilyn married the love of her life, George, in Baltimore, Maryland in 1953. Throughout her career as a pediatric and operating room nurse, she seamlessly synthesized the knowledge acquired through her formal education with her innate traits of empathy and compassion.

Marilyn, a very loving, soft-spoken, and benevolent soul, was extremely family-oriented and never happier than when spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also maintained very close relationships with her beloved sisters, Norma and Carol, and numerous extended family members and close friends. She and George, a very Christ-centered couple, were longtime members of Loch Raven Presbyterian Church in Carney, Maryland. The two eventually moved to the beach to fully enjoy their well-deserved golden years, where they diligently attended Providence Presbyterian Church of Salisbury, Maryland.

“Grandma,” “Gigi,” “Banny,” were among some of the affectionate monikers bestowed upon Marilyn. Friends and family could often find this beloved matriarch baking, cooking, devouring Gothic romance novels, completing crossword puzzles with George, or poring over Bible verses. As a former child of the Depression, she was quite understandably a woman who enjoyed a great bargain. She was steadfast in her love of yard sales and all things discount-related. Family and friends undoubtedly recall countless shopping trips featuring multiple store visits to maximize her couponing potential. Marilyn was good-humored and her distinct chuckle was frequently directed at her husband, often followed by her characteristic, “Oh, George!” Her frequently-exhibited naiveté regarding dark and twisted humor was a source of comical relief for those close to her, and reinforced her underlying gentle and kindhearted nature. Marilyn always endeavored to see the best in everyone and will be missed tremendously by those who loved her.

The family will receive friends at the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc. 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Thursday from 3 to 5PM.

Marilyn’s life will be celebrated at Loch Raven Presbyterian Church, 9318 Old Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234 on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 10AM. The service will be live streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/160118960675658/videos/1595483050634808

Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed in Mrs. Conner’s memory to Loch Raven Presbyterian Church, 9318 Old Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234