Marilyn R. Powers

Marilyn was born November 20, 1938 in Wooster, OH the only daughter of Al and Ella Young. Growing up, Marilyn enjoyed playing with friends, spending time with family especially her grandmother, and swimming at Long Lake. Marilyn’s favorite game was “teaching” her dolls, and promoting them up the stairs of their home. She named all of her dolls Susie, but when her Aunt Ruth who was a teacher gave her a new doll as a birthday gift one year, she told Marilyn to enjoy playing with her new doll, but that the doll’s name was Elizabeth – she couldn’t name this one Susie. The Young family moved to Clintonville when Marilyn was 12, where she completed her education, graduating a proud North High Polar Bear in 1956. Marilyn attended Ohio State University majoring in Home Economics and was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority.

After college, Marilyn spent her working career serving others in Customer Service and as a Human Resources professional with Nationwide Insurance; many years with the Lazarus Department Store company in the DT, Kingsdale, Lima, Mansfield and Westland stores; Digital Equipment Corporation, and with Dr. Tom Gillespie DDS. It was at the Lazarus store in Westland where we met, and what followed were 47 of the best years experiencing life with the most interesting person I had ever met.

Marilyn and I enjoyed traveling often to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Williamsburg, Gettysburg, and multiple trips every year through Ohio Amish Country where she loved shopping for Polish Pottery and Amish built oak furniture to decorate our home. She collected Cat’s Meow figures made in her home town of Wooster. Later in life we enjoyed trips with the Young at Heart seniors’ group and made many new friends as a result. She also adopted my love of lighthouses which took us from the Lake Erie shore of Ohio, all around Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and California. Marilyn was active with her Divine Mercy Group, Bib Making Group, Euchre Group and donated countless hours volunteering to help those less fortunate through the St. Vincent de Paul organization and Big Walnut Friends Who Share.

Marilyn’s humor, compassion and talent for making delicious meals will be missed by husband John of Westerville, brother Art of Clintonville, brother and sister-in-law Tim (Marcia) Powers of Fishers, IN, nephew Jim (Pam) Young of Rome, GA, nieces Linda (Ed) Beck of Heath, Karen (Keith) Hopeck of Westerville and Lisa Koterba of Upper Arlington; many grand and great grand nephews and nieces; and many special neighbors and friends she came to know over the years.

Public visitation will be held Tuesday June 13 at Schoedinger Funeral Home 6699 North High Street, Worthington, OH 43085 from 2pm until 5pm including recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am Wednesday June 14 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 313 North State St. Westerville 43082, Fr. Thomas Buffer who also officiated our wedding will officiate. Graveside services to follow at Resurrection Cemetery 9571 North High Street, Lewis Center 43085.

Marilyn requested that gifts in her memory may be made to the Delaware or Franklin County Humane Society.

When I was born people were happy and smiling. I was the only one crying. When I died people were sad and crying, and I was the only one smiling.