Marilyn Mae Alexander Ehr passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Baton Rouge. She was a native of New Orleans, the only child of Mildred Posecai Alexander and Louis Philip Alexander. She was educated at St. Mary’s Dominican High School and the New Orleans Academy of Art. Following graduation, she relocated to Baton Rouge and began a career in advertising, doing work for several local department stores. In 1958, she accepted a position as head of the advertising department at Lowenstein’s in Memphis. After two years, she returned to Baton Rouge. In 1971, she opened Marilyn’s, a clothing boutique, in Bon Marche Mall and operated this business until 1984. She married Vic Ehr in 1983 and they enjoyed a life of travel, gardening, and entertaining friends. She was also active as a volunteer in the community, even more so after Vic died in 1992. She served as a volunteer with the OLOL Medical Auxiliary for many years. She was a member of the OLOL Eye Bank, a former board member of the McMains Children’s Developmental Center, a member of Inner Wheel Club of Baton Rouge, co-chairing the annual Trash and Treasure Sale in 2001, and a docent at the LSU Rural Life Museum. As an artist, she was invited to join the Baton Rouge Art League in 1992 and served as president from 2001-2003. She was also a member of the Louisiana Art and Artist Guild. Over the years, Marilyn entered her art in various competitions, winning awards with the Louisiana Art and Artist Guild in 2010 and 2011. One of her passions was spending time in the Southwest, especially Santa Fe for the annual Spanish Market in July or Indian Market in August. If you had the pleasure of meeting her while she was out and about “running errands” or shopping, you would find her “dressed to the nines” from head to toe, wearing apparel only she could put together along with fabulous Indian jewelry and hair and makeup done to perfection. She was a most striking woman and she knew it. She managed to leave her mark on this earth and will be missed by the many friends and acquaintances she met along the way. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 25, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., from 9:00 a.m. until a Memorial Service at 11:00. Entombment will be in Hope Mausoleum, New Orleans. Sincere appreciation goes out to the staff of Sunrise Assisted Living, Pinnacle Home Health, Hospice of Baton Rouge, and the wonderful caregivers from Griswold Home Care. Special thanks to Brittany Wiggers, FNP, for her care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church’s Traditions for Tomorrow campaign, 445 Marquette Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 or McMains Children’s Developmental Center, 1805 College Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70808
