Marilyn Marr Klepak

Marilyn Marr Klepak died peacefully after an extraordinary life, on July 2, 2021. The elder daughter of pioneer oilman M. H. Marr and Dallas and Los Angeles society doyenne Adah Yale Von Klein Smid Marr, she made her own mark that will not soon be forgotten. Born on September 27, 1934, Marilyn was graduated Phi Beta Kappa from SMU and attended graduate school at UCLA and the University of Mexico at Mexico City. She also spent much time in her youth at the family Marr Ranch in Santa Susana, California. Her lifelong passion for education would later lead her to enroll in the MLA program at SMU and become a certified Psychologist in the field of Reality Therapy.

A whirlwind of energy with a passion for helping others, she was well noted for her civic, charitable and philanthropic contributions. She served on the Boards of The Dallas Ballet, The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Dallas Civic Opera, The Crystal Charity Ball, Femmes du Monde, Ballet Folklorico, The Dallas Woman’s Club, The Dallas Browning Club, The Marianne Scruggs Garden Club and a variety of boards and committees at SMU, including the Board of Dedman College. She was also a devoted Chautauqua member of Chi Omega Fraternity and donated the seed money for the rebuilding of the house at SMU.

Known for her gregarious nature, beauty, intelligence, quick wit and can-do attitude, she also served as President of both the St. Mark’s School of Texas and Hockaday School Parent’s Clubs. She contributed generously to charitable causes across the faith spectrum —from Temple Emanuel to the Dallas Buddhist Temple, always hoping to help others. She was also a lifelong collector of fine silver and fine art, and was featured many times in fashion and society news. She was often referred to as “a mover and a shaker”, yet treated all who crossed her path with dignity, charm and good cheer. Whether she was in a committee meeting, at the dinner table, horseback riding in California or fishing at Cedar Creek Lake, you could always hear her words of encouragement and laugh above any fray. But first and foremost,

Marilyn’s top value was family. She was married to internationally renowned surgeon M.J. Fogelman, MD. She later married celebrated attorney Henry Klepak. Her sense of humor, her devotion and love kept her extended family bonded in good spirits and devotion in a way few others could. She was a role model as both a mother and a friend, tirelessly supporting the ones she loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her daughter, Margo. She is survived by two sons, Evan Marr and Morton Joseph Fogelman, brother, Ray H. Marr, sister Sharon Marr Brown, one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home on Thursday July, 8, at 1 p.m.