Marilyn Joan Delagrange

Marilyn was born in 1934 in Auburn, Indiana to the late Roma and Murriel (Saunders) Hess. As a young girl, Marilyn developed an enduring love for her Catholic faith from her grandmother (Theresa Hess) with whom she prayed almost daily. Her faith became the foundation of her life. As an adult, she devoted many hours to prayer each day.

Marilyn graduated from Auburn High School where she was a member of numerous organizations and clubs including the Girls Athletic Association, Book Club and YMCA’s Teen-Y and Tri-Hi-Y. She was also on the School Paper Staff, a Fire Warden and the shortstop for the Auburn Redcaps softball team.

Marilyn had true artistic talent and considered pursuing a career as a commercial artist after high school. Ultimately, her desire to marry her high school sweetheart, Robert Delagrange, and start a family was more important. Bob and Marilyn were united in Holy Matrimony on June 26, 1954 sharing 72 wonderful years together as husband and wife.

She worked for some time at Indiana Bell telephone company while Bob completed his undergraduate degree at Butler University. When his career in pharmaceutical sales took off, Bob often travelled throughout the week leaving Marilyn to manage the household of 7 children, a dog, cat, rabbit, and hamster. She put many miles on her Pontiac station wagon with kids in tow to their activities, appointments and the neighborhood pool club. To relax, she enjoyed playing golf with Bob on the weekends. She also enjoyed traveling with Bob including trips to Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Puerto Rico.

She was an active member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, heading the Help Committee for many years. She found joy in doing charity work for the church and the local community. When the church sponsored families immigrating to the Carmel area after escaping political violence in their own country, she lovingly welcomed and helped assimilate them into the church family and local community. She was known for helping others whenever a call came. For many years, as members of the Lay Missionaries of Charity, she and Bob would make dinners and deliver them to the Missionaries of Charity women’s shelter in Indianapolis.

She loved spending time with her family, and looked forward to big family get-togethers. Marilyn loved playing cards especially euchre and gin rummy. She was a master at chinese checkers easily beating her opponents time and time again.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Roma and Murriel Hess and her brothers Ron (Judy) Hess, Larry Hess, Denny (Karen) Hess and her great- grandson Titan Marino.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Robert Delagrange of Carmel, Indiana and her children Mike (Tammy) Delagrange of Hoschton, Georgia, Kim (Frank) Marino of New Palestine, Indiana, Dave(Marlene) Delagrange of East Amherst, New York, Jayne Ryall of Sheridan, Indiana, Nancy (Dave) Stueland of Northbrook, Illinois, Tim (Esther) Delagrange of Hanceville, Alabama, and Bobby (Heather) Delagrange of Carmel, Indiana; her grandchildren Mikel (Saeeda) Delagrange, Ryan (Jen) Weinrich, Sean(Hailey) Delagrange, Nicole Delagrange, Francesca (Ryan) Bergman, Frank Marino, Dominic (Stephanie) Marino, Theresa (Andrew) Higl, Nick (Meg) Delagrange, Eric (Raz) Delagrange, Jeff (Hannah) Ryall, Candace Ryall, Mary (Rob) Hoffman, Kayla (Mike) Imo, Dan Stueland, Jennifer McAnnally, Christine Wallis, William Howe, Brittany Howe, Zach Delagrange, Sydney Delagrange; 22 great-grandchildren and additional nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026 from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 14598 Oakridge Road, Carmel, IN 46032

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

with visitation immediately preceding Mass from 9:30 am - 10:45 am.

Burial will take place at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN, following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Missionaries of Charity Women’s Shelter.